author
Phil Robinson
1847–1902
An Indian-born British journalist and naturalist, he wrote lively, observant books that helped popularize humorous Anglo-Indian writing. His work mixes travel, nature, and sharp social sketches, giving modern listeners a vivid window into the late 19th century.
2 Audiobooks
Birds of the wave and woodland
by Phil Robinson
About the author
Born in Chunar, India, in 1847, Phil Robinson was the pen name of Philip Stewart Robinson, later also known as Frederick Stennard Robinson. He was educated at Marlborough College and built a varied career as a journalist, author, and naturalist, becoming known for books that drew on life in India and the wider British imperial world.
He wrote with an easy, readable style and is especially remembered for helping popularize humorous Anglo-Indian literature. Alongside sketches of colonial society, he also wrote on animals and the natural world, bringing curiosity and wit to subjects that ranged from gardens and zoos to travel and everyday life.
Robinson also worked in journalism, including a brief period as an editor for the Sunday Times. He died in 1902, but his books still stand out for their lively detail and for the way they capture the attitudes, interests, and contradictions of their era.