Author: Henry M. Robert

Henry Martyn Robert (1837-1923) was an American engineer, soldier, and author who is best known for his seminal work “Robert”s Rules of Order”, which became the definitive guide for parliamentary procedure and meeting conduct. Born in Robertville, South Carolina, and educated at West Point, Robert”s military career included the defenses of Washington, D.C., the construction of fortifications along the western frontier, and serving in the American Civil War. Confronted with the challenge of leading a church meeting without sufficient procedural knowledge, Robert recognized the need for a standard set of rules for deliberative bodies. In 1876, he published “Robert”s Rules of Order”, the manual that distilled parliamentary law into accessible directives. His work was inspired by the necessity for organizations to have a democratic process for decision making and has since become the authoritative guide used by a myriad of groups, including legislative bodies, corporate boards, and nonprofit associations. Robert”s literary style is didactic yet clear, and his rules are characterized by a commitment to fair and orderly procedure, ensuring all members have an opportunity to voice their opinions. His book has undergone several revisions and editions, maintaining relevance through the ages and cementing his legacy as an authority on parliamentary procedure.