#12: Hiram H. Robinson, 1875-1877

During Hiram H. Robinson’s term as State Librarian, improvements to the collections, cataloging, and the printing and distribution of catalogs continued. The ceiling was remodeled and admired for its artistic appearance. The enlarged skylight provided greater light and ventilation in the library. Prior to being State Librarian, Robinson was the first State Printer of California, editor and principal owner of the Cincinnati Enquirer, and in 1855 he was the first United States Marshal in the Southern District of Ohio. As a U.S. Marshal, he was directly involved in the slavery case of Margaret Garner. Under federal law, he escorted Garner and her family back to slave handlers in Kentucky after her trial.  State government disapproved of the Garners being sent back and charged Robinson with contempt of court and placed him in jail. The state believed he went against a court ruling by taking the Garners out of local custody. Robinson referred to the order stating he was following the federal Fugitive Slave Act.  He was later cleared and continued to serve as U.S. Marshal until his resignation in October 1856. More than a century later, author Toni Morrison was inspired by the case. She received the Pulitzer Prize in 1988 for Beloved, a historical novel loosely based on events from the Garner case.