FOLLOWING BIOGRAPHY ON BACK OF PLATE:

George Thomas Robinson was born In Macon, Miss., January 12, 1854, of slave parents. An orphan, in 1865, he set out to fight life's battles with no one to guide and protect him. He has risen to a place of distinction-a journalist of note, a lawyer of high standing, a learned professor of law, an orator of repute, a molder of thought, and a reformer. He received his first inspiration from a remark which he heard Hon. C. S. Smith, now a bishop in the A. M. E. Church, make to a public school of which he was a pupil. It Was"A boy can make of hiinself,whatever he has a mind to." George said to himself. "I will make speeches, too." Since that time Captain Robinson and Bishop Smith have delivered many addresses together. They spoke at the Emancipation Celebration in Nashville, lst of January, 1892, which took place in the Representative Hall of the capitol. They were the principal speakers. An afternoon paper on the 2nd said: "The ablest address of the occasion was delivered, by Capt. George T. Robinson on Abraham Lincoln. The speaker electrified the audience." "Cap." Robinson graduated from Fisk University in 1885 and from law in Central Tennessee College, now Walden University, both of Nashville, Tenn. He is a professor of law in the university. In 1875 he refused a seat in the Legislature of Mississippi, in order to complete his education. In 1886 he delivered the cominencemgnt address at Lane College, Jackson, Tenn.; the same year he began the publication of the "Tennessee Star" in Nashville. In 1887 he was made a Captain in the Tennessee National Guard by Governor R. L. Taylor. In 1888 he was on the invitation committee to invite President Cleveland to Nashville and served on Gen. W. H. Jackson's staff as commander of a division in the parade. in 1893 he was a nomined on the Citizens' ticket for the city council. In 1896 he was appointed a member of the executive committee of the Negro department of the Tennessee Centennial and was, chairman of the Military Committee. But the entire committee resigned before the exposition opened. Settling in Nashville in 1886, he soon forged his way to the front and became a champion of Negro rights. Hon. George N. Tillman says of him: "He is one of the best and ablest men of his race in the State." Bishop Evans Tyree says. "Professor Robinson is a giant physicalsy and mentally." Mr. Robinson's fame rests on his journalistic career. The "Star' was regarded as one of the ablest edited Negro journals ever published. After several years of successful work for God and humanity, it consolidated with the "Indianapolis Freeman." The "Star" made its advent in the midst of a big social scandal with a pastor of the most prominent Baptist Church in the city, the central figure. With the large following the divine had, it was not only unpopular, but dangerous to fight him, especially since he had been acquitted by the courts; and a large majority of his congregation endorsed the verdicts. The editor routed the opposition. He told the preacher that he had to quit, that pulpit and leave the city.This was the beginning of a reformation in colored society in the city which was far reaching, and brought editor Robinson into prominence"He woke up one morning and found himself famous." His article, "A Pure Ministry," caused the reformer to be welcomed to Nashville as a Moses.