William Robins originally studied architecture at Kings College, London and later studied at various London art schools including the Royal College of Art under Sir Frank Short. In all he produced some 160 etchings together with some aquatints, wood engravings and lithographs. He favoured flat landscapes, largely devoted to trees of which the beech was his favourite, that were etched direct onto the plate from nature.

Further reading:
Kenneth Guichard, British Etchers 1850-1940, Robin Garton, London 1977