Ohrstrom Library Digital Archives

William Robinson Blair attended St. Paul’s School from 1867 to 1871 and is a member of the Form of 1871.

According to Arthur Stanwood Pier’s St. Paul’s School 1855-1934 (pg. 151), in 1871 Blair was a member of the Shattuck crew team, rowing in the 5th position, and competed in the first annual crew race at St. Paul’s School.  Shattucks finished in third place due to one of the oarsmen having caught a crab. This first race began the tradition that is still held each Anniversary weekend at St. Paul’s School.

His obituary appeared in the Winter 1921 issue of the Alumni Horae (pg. 22), and is excerpted below:

Mr. Blair was born m the old city of Allegheny, the son of John Cust Blair, a pioneer steel manufacturer associated with the Schoenberger Company, and Anne (nee Robinson) Blair, the daughter of General William Robinson, Jr., the first Mayor of Allegheny. He was a student in St. Paul s School, Concord, N. H., was graduated from Trinity College in 1875 and from Columbia University Law School in 1878. He began the practice of law in Allegheny County soon after graduation, and at one time was associated with the late W. S. Pier in a law firm. Upon the passage of the Federal bankruptcy act in 1898 he was appointed referee for this district. His record in this important position is declared to be unexcelled and he was recognized as an authority in bankruptcy procedure.

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