Robert Herbert was born at “Avenel”, The Plains, Virginia in 1879. He graduated in law from South Carolina College in 1899. He practiced law in Columbia for 75 years and was the founder of the law firm of Herbert, Dial and Windham.
He was a distinguished advocate and a wise counsellor. He served as a Special Circuit Judge; as a South Carolina Legislator; as President of the Richland County Bar, the Chamber of Commerce, the Museum of Art Commission, the Forest Lake Club, the Cotillion, and the Kosmos Club. He was Chairman of the Board of the South Carolina State College, the Good Samaritan-Waverly Hospital and the Columbia Academy. He authored “Life on a Virginia Farm.” He also served as a Vestryman of the Trinity Episcopal Church and as a Director of the South Carolina National Bank.
Courageous and outspoken, he pioneered for better race relations. An active pamphleteer, he ran for the Office of Governor and for the United States Senate to publicize his ideas. He received an LL.D. and the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award from the University of South Carolina, and an L.H.D. from Benedict College.
He married Georgia Rucker Hull of Augusta, Georgia and they had two sons and two daughters. He strove throughout his life to improve himself in body, mind and spirit. He always tried to set a worthy example.
He was a learned lawyer, a respected gentlemen, and a charming conversationalist. He exemplified integrity and professional probity. A beloved Nestor of the South Carolina Bar.