Robert Robinson began his career in banking, eventually becoming president of the Central National Bank. He transitioned into public service, serving as a personal secretary to a U.S. Representative before narrowly losing a bid for Insurance Commissioner. Robinson was elected Governor of Delaware in 1924, where he focused on secondary education and infrastructure, notably advocating for school construction and the modernization of state services. Post-governorship, he returned to banking and was recognized for his contributions to the State Grange.

Robert Robinson's political identity is marked by an unusual blend of progressive social policies and fiscal conservatism. He championed school construction and modernized pension systems while simultaneously implementing new taxes to fund these initiatives. Robinson's appointment of Fannie Harrington as the first female state Secretary of State underscores his commitment to gender equality, a progressive stance that contrasts with his conservative fiscal measures. His legislative efforts to replace county "almshouses" with a state welfare home, despite their failure, reveal a forward-thinking approach to social services.