 He graduated from the New England Conservatory in Boston, and later received a fellowship through a fund established by the philanthropist Frank Huntington Beebe to continue his studies in Vienna.Robbins was gay and lived his later years with his long-term partner, artist Michael Schell.Robbins was nominated for an Oscar in 1992 for his score for the film "Howards End" (performed by Martin Jones) and in 1993 for "The Remains of the Day".