He studied in the United States and Germany, centers of biblical scholarship and exploration of theBible as history. He translated scriptural works fromclassical languages as well as German translations. HisGreek and English Lexicon of the New Testament (1836; last revision, 1850) became a standard authority in the United States and was reprinted several times in Great Britain.
In 1821, he went toAndover, Massachusetts, where he published his translation of books i–ix, xviii and xix of theIliad. There he aidedMoses Stuart in the preparation of the second edition (1823) of the latter'sHebrew Grammar. He translated into English (1825) Wahl'sClavis Philologica Novi Testamenti.
Robinson went to Europe to study ancient languages, largely inHalle andBerlin (1826–30). While in Halle, in 1828 he married German writerTherese Albertine Luise von Jakob. After the couple returned to the United States, Robinson was appointed professor extraordinary of sacred literature atAndover Theological Seminary (1830–1833).[3] Robinson founded theBiblical Repository (1831), which he edited for four years.[2] In 1836, Robinson published both a translation ofWilhelm Gesenius'Hebrew Lexicon and a Greek New Testament Lexicon.
He established theBibliotheca Sacra (1843), into which was merged theBiblical Repository. He spent three years inBoston working on a lexicon of scriptural Greek.[2] Illness caused him to move toNew York City. He was appointed as professor of biblical literature atUnion Theological Seminary, serving from 1837 until his death. At the Union Theological Seminary, he served as the first librarian of theBurke Library.[4]
Together with Smith, Robinson made scores of identifications of ancient places referenced in the Bible.[1] His work established his enduring reputation as a "founder" ofbiblical archaeology, and he influenced much of future archaeological field work. Examples of his finds inJerusalem include theSiloam tunnel andRobinson's Arch in theOld City; the latter was named in his honor.
The two men returned to Ottoman Palestine in 1852 for further investigations. In 1856, the enlarged edition ofBiblical Researches was published simultaneously in English and German. Among those who later acknowledged Robinson’s stature, in 1941 G. Ernest Wright, reviewing the pioneering survey contained inNelson Glueck'sThe Other Side of the Jordan, makes a just comparison and fitting testimonial: "Glueck's explorations are second to none, unless it is those of Edward Robinson."[6]
Dictionary of the Holy Bible for the Use of Schools and Young Persons (Boston, 1833)
Greek and English Lexicon of the New Testament (1836; last revision, New York, 1850), based on theClavis Philologica Novi Testamenti ofChristian A. Wahl. This work superseded his translation of Wahl's work, becoming a standard authority in the United States. It was several times reprinted in Great Britain.
Biblical Researches in Palestine and Adjacent Countries (three volumes, Boston and London, 1841; German edition, Halle, 1841; second edition, enlarged, 1856, published in both English and German)
Memoir of Rev. William Robinson, with some Account of his Ancestors in this Country (printed privately, New York, 1859) This is a sketch of his father, who for 41 years was pastor of the Congregational church inSouthington, Connecticut.
Physical Geography of the Holy Land (New York and London, 1865). This is a supplement to hisBiblical Researches, and was edited by Mrs. Robinson after his death.
Revised editions of the Greek and EnglishHarmonies, edited byMatthew B. Riddle, were published in 1885 and 1886 after Robinson's death.
