Robert Anderson (1805-1871) was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and died in Nice, France. He graduated from the United States Military Academy (West Point) in 1825. Anderson served in the Black Hawk War of 1832, the Second Seminole War in 1833, and the Mexican-American War in 1847. He was the Union commander in the first battle of the American Civil War at Fort Sumter in April 1861. Anderson's actions in defense of Fort Sumter made him an immediate national hero and he was promoted to brigadier general and given command of Union forces in Kentucky. He was removed late in 1861 due to failing health and was reassigned to Rhode Island before retiring from military service in 1863. In 1865, Anderson was brevetted a major general for "gallantry and meritorious service" in the defense of Fort Sumter. After the war, Anderson became a companion of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. In 1869, he helped establish the Military Academy's Association of Graduates with Sylvanus Thayer, "the Father of West Point". That same year, he moved to Europe. Anderson passed away there a few years later.

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