Medal, Senator Joe T. Robinson
Object numberOSHTL2008.070.09
Date1928
MediumMetal, Cloth
Dimensions5 1/16 × 2 1/8 × 3/8 in. (12.9 × 5.4 × 1 cm)
Credit LineOn loan from Grady Miller, Jr.
DescriptionSenator Joe T. Robinson's 1928 Democratic National Convention medal, where he served as Permanent Chairman. During the event in Houston, Texas, Robinson won the nomination for Vice President, marking the first time that an Arkansan had been nominated for a national office. The medal features a red, white, and blue ribbon and four parts--the top three bars are connected by suspension rings. The top bar reads "Houston / 1928," the second bar reads "Permanent Chairman," the third bar reads "Joseph T. Robinson," and the obverse depicts a Bald Eagle on top of the Capitol and reads "Democratic National Convention."Joseph Taylor "Joe T." Robinson was born on August 16, 1872 in Lonoke County, Arkansas. After graduating from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Robinson won his 1894 campaign for state representative. He later won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1902, a position he held for a decade. In 1912, Robinson ran for governor and won. However, Senator Jeff Davis died of a heart attack before Robinson was inaugurated. Robinson decided to run for Davis' seat and won. During his short time as governor (1913), Robinson created a state banking board, a state health board, and the Arkansas Highway Commission. On March 8, 1913, Robinson officially resigned the governorship to take his Senate seat. He died of a heart attack on July 14, 1937.
Status
On view
