Robert Watson Winston was born in Windsor (Bertie County), North Carolina, on September 12, 1860. Winston was an attorney who, in addition to running his own law practice, served as legislator (1885), superior court judge (1889-1895), and president of the Durham Chamber of Commerce (1896). Following his retirement, he embarked on a career as a historian and wrote several biographical works on prominent southern leaders. Winston died in Chapel Hill (Orange County) on October 14, 1944.