Key Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Noah Louis Robinson |
| Born | April 15, 1908, Piedmont, South Carolina |
| Died | January 31, 1997, Greenville, South Carolina |
| Career | Former Philadelphia Golden Gloves Boxing Champion, Railroad Worker, Cotton Grader |
| Family | Father of Jesse Jackson Sr., Married to Catherine Robinson |
| Significance | Father of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, influencing his career and values |
| Health | Passed away from heart attack and Parkinson’s disease complications |
Early Life and Career
Noah Louis Robinson’s life is about resilience and overcoming segregation in America. Robinson’s tenacity and resolve, inspired by his early life in Piedmont, South Carolina, influenced his family, especially his son, civil rights activist Jesse Jackson.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Early Life | Born during the era of Jim Crow segregation in the South |
| Career Highlights | Philadelphia Golden Gloves boxing champion, railroad worker, cotton grader |
| Work Achievements | Only black office employee in Greenville’s textile industry, overcoming racism |
| Retirement | Retired from work over 25 years before his death |
Jesse Jackson family and relationship
Robinson’s bond with his son, Jesse Jackson, shaped his identity and ideals. Jesse Jackson was born to Helen Burns in 1941 and raised by his mother and adoptive father. Even so, Robinson mentored Jesse and taught him grit and dignity.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Family Structure | Married to Catherine Robinson, with three sons, stepsons, and a stepdaughter |
| Jesse Jackson’s Birth | Jesse Jackson born to Helen Burns, raised by her and adoptive father Charles |
| Father-Son Bond | Robinson’s influence on Jesse was profound, credited with shaping his confidence |
| Complexity of Relationship | Jesse learned about his biological father at age 7, leading to a strong but complex bond |
Later Years and Passing
Robinson died in 1997 from Parkinson’s disease. Jesse Jackson gave the eulogy at his public funeral, highlighting his pride in his father.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Health | Struggled with Parkinson’s disease, leading to heart attack complications |
| Funeral | Held at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Greenville, with over 500 mourners |
| Eulogy | Jesse Jackson Sr. delivered the eulogy, highlighting his father’s influence |
Recent Family Developments
The Robinson family’s public profile changed after Noah Robinson’s death, especially with Jesse Jackson’s leadership and health issues. In 2023, Jesse Jackson left the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, and in 2024, Jesse Jr. experienced legal and political issues, highlighting the Jackson family’s public engagement.
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Jesse Jackson steps down from Rainbow PUSH | July 2023 | Stepped down at age 81 due to health concerns, Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2015 |
| New Rainbow PUSH leader resigns | April 2024 | Reverend Frederick Douglass Haynes III resigned after less than three months |
| Jesse Jackson at Democratic National Convention | August 2024 | Attended but did not speak, reflecting his continued public presence |
| Jesse Jackson Jr. not pardoned by Biden | January 2025 | Former congressman expressed disappointment over not receiving a pardon |
FAQ
Noah Louis Robinson’s impact on Jesse Jackson?
Jesse Jackson’s biological father, Noah Louis Robinson, helped him develop self-confidence and dignity, which shaped his civil rights advocacy.
Noah Louis Robinson’s accomplishments?
Robinson was Greenville’s only Black textile industry office employee after working as a railroad laborer and cotton grader after winning the Philadelphia Golden Gloves boxing title.
How did Noah Louis Robinson affect civil rights?
Although not a public figure, Robinson’s ideals and impact shaped civil rights icon Jesse Jackson’s work and leadership.
Recently, what happened to Jesse Jackson?
Jesse Jackson resigned as Rainbow PUSH Coalition president in 2023 owing to health difficulties, including 2015 Parkinson’s disease diagnosis. Despite health issues, he remains a civil rights icon.
Why was Jesse Jackson Jr. in the news?
After admitting to campaign cash misuse, Robinson’s grandson Jesse Jackson Jr. faced legal troubles. He expressed regret about his conviction not being pardoned in 2025.
