Robert was educated at Manchester Grammar School and at Victoria University, Manchester, where he graduated M.B. and Ch.B. in 1904. He entered the London Hospital for postgraduate work in November 1908, and joined the Final Fellowship classes the following year. He also took the diploma of F.R.C.S. in 1910. After filling the posts of house-surgeon of Manchester Royal Infirmary and of Leicester Infirmary, and of medical superintendent and surgical registrar of the Seamen’s Hospital, Greenwich, he went to into practice at Derby, where he was honorary medical officer of the Derbyshire Children’s Hospital. On 1st January 1918, he took a temporary commission as lieutenant in the R.A.M.C., and was promoted to captain after a year’s service. He contracted his fatal illness whilst serving in France, and died at Ruthin, North Wales. Robert was the eldest son of Sir Alexander Porter (ex-Lord of Mayor of Manchester) of Lyme Park, Chinley.