Robinson graduated in medicine from the University of Manchester in 1940, and then served at the Emergency Medical Service Hospital at Baguley, near Manchester. Here, he developed an interest in plastic surgery. In 1949 he was appointed to the plastic surgery unit at Wythenshawe Hospital, and remained here until it moved to Withington hospital, Manchester in 1969. He was a council member of the British Association of Plastic Surgeons and a founder of the British Association of Cosmetic Surgeons.
He was the son of Frank Robinson of Bolton [MMC/2/RobinsonFra.