Endowed Chairs

The E. Claiborne Robins Distinguished Professorship in Business

Current Holder:
Stephen B. Tallman (2005-2011)

Former Holders:
Richard W. Wright (2001-2005)
John Daniels (1997-1999)
Terrance Mitchell (1996-1997)
William Campbell (1995-1996)

E. Claiborne Robins was born in Richmond Virginia to Claiborne (Richmond College, 1894) and Martha Taylor Robins. He earned his B.A. degree at the University of Richmond in 1931, and his B.S. degree from the School of Pharmacy at the Medical College of Virginia in 1933. He then joined his mother and two other employees in the family business, which was begun in 1866 by his grandfather, A.H. Robins, as a small apothecary and manufacturing chemist's shop. By 1970 E. Claiborne Robins was Chairman of the Board of the A.H. Robins Company, a multinational corporation engaged primarily in the manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and consumer products. He retired in 1990, following the sale of A.H. Robins Company to American Home Products Company. Since 1969, E. Claiborne Robins, distinguished alumnus and University trustee, along with his family has been the University's greatest benefactor. Mr. Robins received the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of Richmond in 1960 and the University's first Paragon Medal, its highest award, in 1986.

The E. Claiborne Robins Distinguished Professorship in Business was established to honor the memory of Mr. Robins, who died in 1995. In his will, Mr. Robins indicated that some of the proceeds of his bequest might preferably be used to create one or more new professorships. Given Mr. Robins' extraordinary leadership and talents in business, and his association with the Business School since its being named for him in 1979, it was appropriate that the University's E. Claiborne Robins School of Business house this endowed distinguished professorship.

The E. Claiborne Robins Professorship is awarded to an individual of exceptional talent and distinction, whose scholarship and teaching make that person a model of accomplishment for both other members of the University and the Business School faculty as well as on a national scale. Individuals holding the Robins Distinguished Professorship are nominated by the Dean of the Business School and approved by the President. There are no limits as to the field in which the chairholder may serve; however, each chairholder will be in residence for a designated period of time, not to exceed five years.