Robinson, Mary

Irish academic and Labour politician, president 1990–97. She became a professor of law at the age of 25. A strong supporter of women's rights, she campaigned for the liberalization of Ireland's laws prohibiting divorce and abortion. From 1997 to 2002 she was the United Nations (UN) high commissioner for human rights. From 2002 she has been honourary president of the charity Oxfam, and is chair of the International Institute for Environment and Development.

Robinson won a seat in the Irish senate (Seanad Éireann) in 1969 and held it for 20 years. As a lawyer she achieved an international reputation in the field of human rights. She tried unsuccessfully to enter the Dáil Éireann (lower house of parliament) in 1990, and then surprisingly won the presidency of her country.