Sir Robert Rowand Anderson, FRSE RSA (5 April 1834 – 1 June 1921) was a Scottish Victorian architect.

His works include the Scottish National Portrait Gallery; the Dome of Old College, Medical Faculty and McEwan Hall, the University of Edinburgh; Govan Old Parish Church and the Pearce Institute; the Central Hotel at Glasgow Central Station, the Catholic Apostolic Church in Edinburgh and Mount Stuart House on the Isle of Bute for the 3rd Marquess of Bute.

[1] Educated at George Watson's College, he began a legal apprenticeship in 1845, and briefly worked for his father's firm.

He began to study architecture in 1849, attending classes at the Trustees' Drawing Academy (which later became Edinburgh College of Art), and was articled to architect John Lessels (1809–1883).

He then spent time travelling and studying in France and Italy,[2] also working briefly for Pierre Cuypers in Roermond, Netherlands.

Anderson joined the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, where he met future clients including the Marquis of Bute.

[citation needed] The design secured Anderson's election to the Royal Scottish Academy, although the Medical School was not completed until 1886, and the McEwan Hall not until 1897.

However, Browne left in 1885, and Hew Wardrop died in 1887 at Udny Castle,[4] leaving Anderson as sole partner again.

The Scottish influence is evident in the Normand Memorial Hall, Dysart (1882), Ardgowan Estate Office, Greenock (1886), and the Pearce Institute, Govan (1892).