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

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and the

Royal Academy of Music The Royal Academy of Music (RAM) in London, England, is the oldest conservatoire in the UK, founded in 1822 by John Fane and Nicolas-Charles Bochsa. It received its royal charter in 1830 from King George IV with the support of the first Duke ...

before becoming an

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. 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, a Swedish woman, and this led to him becoming active in the Anglo-Swedish Society. From 1949 to 1969, he served on the council of the

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. 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

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

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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. 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

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, 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