John Freind Robinson, 1st Baronet (born Freind; 15 February 1754 – 16 April 1832) was Archdeacon of Armagh from 1786 until his resignation in 1797.[1]
Robinson was the son of Dean William Freind;[2] nephew of Archbishop Richard Robinson, 1st Baron Rokeby, and grandson of Robert Freind, headmaster of Westminster School.[3] His mother was Grace Robinson and Freind became heir to her brother, who was created Baron Rokeby.[4]
Freind was born in Witney, and was educated at Westminster School, and then Christ Church, Oxford.[5] On 3 January 1774, he was appointed by his uncle, with his elder brother the Reverend William Maximilian Friend, as a Registrar of the Prerogative Court. In 1821 he resigned and was immediately re-appointed to the same position which was then granted to him for his life by Archbishop William Stuart on 25 April 1821.[6] He was Prebendary of Tynan in Armagh Cathedral from 1778 to 1786;[7] Archdeacon of Armagh from 1786 to 1797 and Precentor of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin from 1797 to 1823.[8]
Freind assumed, by sign manual, the surname of Robinson in 1793[9] to succeed to the estates of his uncle, Baron Rokeby.[10] He was created a baronet on 14 October 1819.
Freind married in 1786 Mary Anne Spencer, daughter of James Spencer of Rathangan, County Kildare; they had a large family.[11] Robert Spencer Robinson R.N. was one of the sons.[12]