Richard Robinson (chief executive)

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Richard Robinson
CEO Richard Robinson 2011.jpg
Robinson in 2011
Born
Maurice Richard Robinson Jr.

(1937-05-15)May 15, 1937
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedJune 5, 2021(2021-06-05) (aged 84)
Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, U.S.
EducationHarvard College
St Catharine's College, Cambridge
Teachers College, Columbia University
OccupationChief executive, educator
EmployerScholastic Corporation
Spouse(s)Katherine Woodroofe (m. 1968; div.)
Helen V. Benham
​
​
(m. 1986; div. 2003)​
Children2, with Helen V. Benham

Maurice Richard Robinson Jr. (May 15, 1937 – June 5, 2021) was an American business executive and educator. From 1975 until his death in 2021, Robinson was the chief executive officer of Scholastic Corporation, a publishing company founded by his father Maurice Robinson. Robinson was noted for bringing many book franchises to younger readers, such as Harry Potter and Captain Underpants.[1]

Early life[]

Robinson was born in 1937 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the son of Florence née Liddell and Maurice R. Robinson.[2][3][4][5] He was raised in Manhattan.[6] He was educated at Harvard College and later at St Catharine's College, Cambridge, in England, and at Teacher's College, Columbia University, where he later became a benefactor, to be a high school teacher.[2][7]

He began his career as a high school English teacher in Evanston, Illinois.[2][8] In the mid-1960s, he began working at Scholastic Corporation.[9]

Business career[]

In 1971, Robinson became a board member of Scholastic.[10] In 1974, he became President of Scholastic and CEO a year later.[2] He was elected to the position of chairman of the board in 1982.[2]

During his tenure as Scholastic CEO, he oversaw the company's financial struggles and successes.[9] He saw the company's success of the Harry Potter series and battled censors of Harry Potter, Captain Underpants and Alex Gino’s George as inappropriate for younger readers.[9] The New York Times credits Robinson for making it possible for the Harry Potter and The Hunger Games novel franchises to reach the American public.[1]

Robinson's tenure also oversaw an overhaul of historic changes, whether the rise of digital media or the increased emphasis on diversity and scrutiny of the past.[11] In 2016, Scholastic and Robinson faced controversy over the publication of a picture story titled A Birthday Cake for George Washington, which depicted one of Washington's slaves.[11] The book was pulled by Scholastic after widespread criticism.[11]

In response to his goal for Scholastic to be informed of the changing culture, Robinson said "We are dealing with issues like global warming, racial inequality in a way that doesn’t polarize the issue but gives points of views on both sides and is a balanced neutral position but not in a sense of being bland".[8]

Personal life[]

In 1968, Robinson married Katherine Woodroofe, a magazine editor at Scholastic.[12] They later divorced. Robinson was married to Helen V. Benham, who founded the Early Childhood Division at Scholastic, and with whom he had two children,[13] from 1986 until 2003.[5] He lived in New York City and owned a condo in Greenwich Village until 2016.[14] He stated that James Joyce's A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man was a personal favorite and inspiration during his tenure as Scholastic CEO.[6]

He died on June 5, 2021, while on vacation with his family on Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts, aged 84.[9][5] The cause was said to be either a stroke or a heart attack.[5]

Awards and honors[]

Robinson received an honorary National Book Award for his contributions to the literary community.[9] PEN America noted him for his contributions to free expression in literature and publishing.[9]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Richard Robinson of Scholastic Honored for Lifetime of Work in Children's Publishing". The New York Times. September 20, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Richard Robinson". Scholastic.com. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  3. ^ "Richard Robinson". Alasnome. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  4. ^ Hamersly, Lewis Randolph; Leonard, John W.; Mohr, William Frederick; Knox, Herman Warren; Holmes, Frank R.; Downs, Winfield Scott (1938). "Who's who in New York City and State".
  5. ^ a b c d Roberts, Sam (June 7, 2021). "Richard Robinson Dies at 84; Turned Scholastic into an Empire". The New York Times.
  6. ^ a b "ON MY...BOOKSHELF; RICHARD ROBINSON". The New York Times. August 22, 1999. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  7. ^ "Sad News: The Passing of TC's Richard Robinson | June | 2021 | Newsroom | Teachers College, Columbia University". Teachers College - Columbia University. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Richard Robinson, Longtime CEO Of Scholastic, Dies at 84". Deadline. June 6, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  9. ^ a b c d e f "Richard Robinson, Longtime Scholastic CEO, Dies at 84". The Hollywood Reporter. June 6, 2021.
  10. ^ "Profile: Richard Robinson". Bloomberg. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  11. ^ a b c "Richard Robinson, Longtime Scholastic CEO, Dead at 84". USN. June 6, 2021.
  12. ^ "Maurice Robinson Jr. Weds Katherine Prentis Woodroofe". The New York Times. May 18, 1968. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  13. ^ "Richard Robinson, longtime Scholastic CEO, dead at 84". The Seattle Times. June 6, 2021.
  14. ^ "Scholastic CEO Richard Robinson Lists Devonshire House Condo for $9.25M". Observer. February 8, 2016. Retrieved June 6, 2021.

External links[]

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