Born on August 13, 1902 in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He was an only child and grew up with his mother, Ella Huegin. He made his name by sailing around the world in a small boat from June 1928 to NoVember 1931 - the first man to accomplish the feat in so small a boat. He became famous. His first book "Deep Water and Shoal," was published in 1932 recounting this incredible adventure and became a best seller. He was considered as being one of the world's greatest contemporary explorers. In 1945, William Robinson definitely left the United States and on his brigantine called Varua, sailed to Tahiti. He