Sir Lawrence William Robson, FCA, (8 August 1904 – 24 August 1982) was a

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accountant and

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activist. Born in Norton-on-Tees, Robson studied at Stockton Grammar School and the Royal Academy of Music before becoming an accountant. In 1927, he was a founder of Robson, Rhodes & Company, remaining a partner until 1975.ROBSON, Sir Lawrence (William)
, ''

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'' In 1940, Robson married

Inga-Stina Arvidsson Inga-Stina Robson, Baroness Robson of Kiddington (''née'' Arvidsson; 20 August 1919 – 9 February 1999), often known as Stina Robson, was an Anglo- Swedish political activist. Born to a wealthy family in Stockholm as Inga-Stina Arvidsson, she ...

, a Swedish woman, and this led to him becoming active in the

Anglo-Swedish Society Founded in the aftermath of the First World War, the Anglo-Swedish Society was established to foster greater understanding and friendship between Britain and Sweden. The continued strong bond between these two nations has allowed the Society to ...

. From 1949 to 1969, he served on the council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. He also served on the Herbert Committee's inquiry into the electricity industry, and chaired the Britain in Europe Committee, then later served on the council of the

European Movement The European Movement International is a lobbying association that coordinates the efforts of associations and national councils with the goal of promoting European integration, and disseminating information about it. History The origins of th ...

. Robson was also active in the Liberal Party. He stood unsuccessfully in

Banbury Banbury is a historic market town on the River Cherwell in Oxfordshire, South East England. It had a population of 54,335 at the 2021 Census. Banbury is a significant commercial and retail centre for the surrounding area of north Oxfordshir ...

at the

1950 Events January * January 1 – The International Police Association (IPA) – the largest police organization in the world – is formed. * January 5 – Sverdlovsk plane crash: ''Aeroflot'' Lisunov Li-2 crashes in a snowstorm. All 19 ...

and 1951 general elections,Duncan Sutherland,
Robson, Inga-Stina
, ''

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'' and served as its President in 1953/4. Inga-Stina later held the same post. In 1950, Robson moved into

Kiddington Hall Kiddington Hall is a large Grade II listed manor house located in Kiddington, near Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England. History Kiddington Hall was built in 1673, and in the 18th century "Capability" Brown laid out the gardens. The Reverend Thomas ...

. In later life, he used his money and organisational skills to save the

National Liberal Club The National Liberal Club (NLC) is a London private members' club, open to both men and women. It was established by William Ewart Gladstone in 1882 to provide club facilities for Liberal Party campaigners among the newly enlarged electorate ...

from closure.Eric Kemp, ''Shy But Not Retiring'', p.113 In 1981, he was created a Knight Commander of the

Order of the Polar Star The Royal Order of the Polar Star ( Swedish: ''Kungliga Nordstjärneorden'') is a Swedish order of chivalry created by King Frederick I on 23 February 1748, together with the Order of the Sword and the Order of the Seraphim. The Order of t ...

, and the following year he was knighted in the 1982 Queen's Birthday Honours List.

References

* ''The Times'', Thursday, Aug 26, 1982, (his obituary). {{DEFAULTSORT:Robson, Lawrence 1904 births 1982 deaths Alumni of the Royal Academy of Music Commanders of the Order of the Polar Star English accountants English knights People from Norton, County Durham Presidents of the Liberal Party (UK) Liberal Party (UK) parliamentary candidates Knights Bachelor Spouses of life peers 20th-century English businesspeople