The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 41, 692-699, Copyright © 1986 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Samuel Robinson, pioneer thoracic surgeon (1875-1947)
JG Scannell
Sam Robinson was born in Augusta, ME, in 1875. A graduate of Harvard
Medical School, and of the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), he worked
in the laboratory of Walter Cannon. While a junior at MGH he spent four
months abroad with Ferdinand Sauerbruch. He returned to Boston and remained
there until 1912, performing his first successful lobectomy for
bronchiectasis in 1909. He made important contributions to the management
of pneumothorax during operation, notably Sam Robinson's box. In 1912 he
moved to Clifton Springs, NY. From 1915 to 1917 he was the first Chief of
Thoracic Surgery at the Mayo Clinic. Illness, probably bronchiectasis, led
him to abandon academic thoracic surgery in 1918 and retire to Santa
Barbara, CA, where he practiced general surgery until 1947. He was
President of the Association for Thoracic Surgery in 1922. In addition to
the use of positive pressure and early resections, his contributions
include artificial pneumothorax for tuberculosis and management of acute
and chronic empyema. His colorful writings provide a vivid picture of the
early days of our specialty.