The Rise and Fall of Jim Robinson Free Republic
The above 2012 thread was the first google gave me just now. Seems 2014, 2015 and 2016 have done quite well for the fallen (not to be confused with the deplorables).
One interesting thing about that 2012 threat is the internal contradictions in the arguments. FR rose thanks to big name stars, Hannity, etal. And FR rose thanks to the input of the many little people.
But it only fell due to Jim Robinson. On that the 2012 article was certain.
what was the search criteria? I just entered Free Republic and the first return was a link to the main page and some of the sub forums. The second was to a Wiki article about the forum