Robert A. Baldwin was born in 1930 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and later moved to Andover, Massachusetts. In 1952, he received a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and in Fine Arts from Oberlin College. In 1955, he received a Masters of Fine Arts from Yale University concentrating in scene, costume and lighting design.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1955-1957 as Designer-Technical Director, U. S. Army Entertainment Program in Stuttgart, Germany. He was employed by Vanderbilt University from 1957 until his retirement in 1995. During his tenure, he held many titles including Instructor in Drama, Assistant/Associate Professor of Drama, Planner for the Office of Campus Planning, Associate Professor of Drama and University Centennial Coordinator, Associate Professor Fine Arts and Assistant to the Dean for the College of Arts and Science. He was also the Associate Professor of Theatre and Associate Professor of Fine Arts (Joint Appointment) from 1983 until his retirement. He was awarded The Chancellor’s Cup in 1987, and in 1995 became Professor of Fine Arts Emeritus and Professor Theatre Emeritus.

Professor Baldwin donated his collection to Special Collections in 2004. A selection of images will be displayed, with the remaining images available in the department for viewing.