[1] He obtained his Presbytery Degree from the University of St Andrews in Scotland and was made Minister for Inverkeithing.
King James VI is said to have made Robert a bishop out of regard for the memory of his late father, whom he had known and respected.
As Bishop of Down and Connor Robert is remembered mainly for his fierce clash with the recently arrived Presbyterian clergy, who were all Scots like himself.
Having at first welcomed them warmly into his diocese, and allowed them considerable latitude as regards their liturgical practices, he later became their bitter enemy, and suspended two of them, Robert Blair and John Livingstone.
At his urging, the King appointed a Commission to inquire into the diocesan finances and make recommendations as to how to repair the damage.