Robert Edgar Babb was born in Laurens County to Messer Babb of Hampton’s Legion, C.S.A., and Laura June Hellams. He graduated from The Citadel in 1894, then taught school and read the law.
He was admitted to the Bar in 1900 and practiced with United States Senator J.L.M. Irby, W.B. Knight, Col. H.Y. Simpson, and Robert A. Cooper (Governor of South Carolina); and his son, Thomas A. Babb.
In 1903, he married Donie B. Adams and three children were born to them: Beatrice, Robert and Thomas.
He was an active Methodist, teaching Men’s Bible Class for 41 years and acting as a church attorney in the unification litigation.
He served as President of the City Democratic Club for 30 years, as Chairman of the County Board of Education, as well as being a Rotarian, a Mason Knights Templars, and a Shriner.
He served as a United States Commissioner, as an Acting Associate Judge on the South Carolina Supreme Court, as a Special Circuit Judge and as both a City and County Attorney.
Endowed with superior intellect, he diligently pursued the study of law, literature and the Bible. Patient, modest and unselfish, with kindly humor and utmost integrity, he strove for truth and justice.