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Robert was born and grew up in the outskirts of Belfast, at the foot of the Craigantlet Hills. Captivated from an early age by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's tales of Sherlock Holmes and Franklin W Dixon's Hardy Boys novels he developed a prolific appetite for literature, devouring virtually everything he could get his hands on. In turn a desire to write emerged, with his first published work appearing in the school magazine at the age of 8 - something he would continue to do into and throughout his secondary education.

He was educated at Campbell College, Belfast - an institution whose former alumni include C.S. Lewis, Samuel Beckett (who taught at the institution before moving to Paris), and Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol. Whilst at CCB Robert pursued  interests in art and photography which continue to this day.

At the age of 16 he played the role of Death in "The Long Walk to Hell", a short film made by a college friend. A re-shot version, which Robert also edited (using two domestic video recorders and a keen sense of timing), was selected for screening at the Bradford Film Festival the following year, and was a finalist for the Cinemagic Young Filmmaker of the Year awards. Robert developed a keen interest for film and theatre, acting and directing in a number of amateur productions and writing and directing his first short film - "Vlad Slept Here", and the short play "Incubi et Succubi".

In 1999, following the death of screen actor Oliver Reed, Robert began work on his first website, a project which would evolve into the increasingly popular Unofficial Hammer Films Site. The site continues to feature heavily in his life.

Following A-levels, Robert studied Film Studies at Queen's University Belfast (part of the illustrious Russell Group of UK universities) gaining first class honours for his BA in 2003. As part of his degree he also took modules in Drama and Archaeology, personal interests which he still pursues. In 2006 he added a Masters degree in Film and Visual Studies (also from Queen's) and is currently researching a PhD at Trinity College Dublin.

Whilst at university Robert continued to work on a freelance basis, developing and editing a number of websites; writing for various fanzines; and working as a photographer/camera operator. He was also involved in various aspects of production on a number of short-films through the university, working as writer, camera operator, actor and director.

In 2006 Robert was contracted to write a book on Hammer Films for Telos Books, which he is currently finishing.

He continues to draw and paint, taking inspiration from megalithic landscapes, specialising in watercolour and inks. He has a preference for using 35mm in photography, but has recently begun experimenting with digital technologies. He is working on several projects including one based around Police Boxes. Robert is currently  appearing throughout the UK and Ireland at various events, giving papers, introducing films and discussing Hammer films and the horror film generally.

At present he is developing further projects including more photographic work, a novel, film projects and a radio series.