Thomas Robinson was born on May 17, 1837 in Norway. He immigrated to the United States and joined the U.S. Navy from the state of New York. On July 15, 1866, while serving as Captain of the Afterguard, he attempted to rescue a shipmate from drowning while his ship was off the coast of New Orleans.

Petty Officer Robinson’s Medal of Honor citation read: "The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Captain of the Afterguard Thomas Robinson for heroic efforts to save from drowning, Wellington Brocar, landsman, of the USS Tallapoosa off New Orleans, July 15, 1866." He was awarded a Peacetime Medal of Honor on August 1, 1866.

Robinson died on May 12, 1915 at the age of 77 and was buried in Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

References:
Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Hall of Valor Project
Multiple Wikipedia searches.