Robert Shillingford Babcock (July 22, 1915 – September 1, 1985) was an American college professor and politician from Vermont.

[4] In this role, Babcock was responsible for reviewing applications for foreign business transactions that involved the use of funds that had been frozen by executive order at the start of the war.

[4] He served in the United States Navy during World War II and attained the rank of lieutenant (junior grade).

[5] Babcock was defeated for reelection to his senate seat in 1954, but was appointed secretary of civil and military affairs (chief assistant) to Governor Joseph B. Johnson in 1955.

[1] In 1960, he ran unsuccessfully for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, losing to F. Ray Keyser Jr., who went on to win the general election.

[7] The site contains a bog, three ponds, and 1,000 acres of forest land, and was donated by the Babcocks to the Vermont State Colleges.

[7] The preserve is used a laboratory for students of field biology, ornithology, and environmental and natural science, and is maintained by Northern Vermont University.