Robert Henry Tucker was a member of the Tucker-Coleman family and a member of the class of 1893 at the College of William & Mary. He also received a master's degree from the College in 1897. While at the College, he received the Brafferton Prize in 1892 and the Ewell Award in 1894. He was professor of economics and business administration from 1919-1946 and dean of Washington and Lee University, serving as acting president in 1930. Tucker served as chairman of the Virginia Commission on County Government, 1930-1932; member of Virginia Commission on Sate and Local Government, 1922-1924; chairman of the Industrial Commission of Virginia, 1918-1919; and economic consultant to the Virginia Department of Highways, 1953-1957. He was the commencement speaker for the College of William & Mary in 1926 and received an honorary degree.