About the Author

Henry M. Robert(1837-1923) was a military engineer. His book Robert's Rules of Order (also known as Pocket Manual of Rules of Order for Deliberative Assemblies)became the most widely used manual ofparliamentary procedureto this day in the United States. During the Civil War, Robertworked on the defenses ofWashington, DC,Philadelphia, and several ports in New England. He served as the president of the Board of Engineers from 1895 to 1901. Upon his retirement he was appointed chief of engineers.