[1][2] He was born on 21 May 1881 at 73c Manchester Road, Southport, Lancashire, England, the son of Robert Sutcliffe Ivy and Annie Edith Cryer.
At the age of 18 years in 1898, Dr. Ivy attended the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine upon the influence of his uncle Dr. Cryer.
Upon the request of his father, Robert interrupted his studies during the 3rd year of medical school and went to China to practice dentistry.
Dr. Ivy also learned French during his stay in France practicing oral surgery during World War I.
[4] Dr. Ivy also authored Applied Anatomy and Oral Surgery for Dental Students, an important dentistry textbook.