Robert Bates may refer to: Bob Bates (born 1953), American computer game designer Bob Bates (musician) (1923–1981), musician in the 1950s Dave Brubeck Quartet Robert Bates (political scientist) (born 1942), professor of government at Harvard University Robert Bates (mountaineer) (1911–2007), American mountaineer and author Robert Bates (loyalist) (1948–1997), Ulster loyalist, member Shankill Butchers gang Robert B. Bates (1789–1841), Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives Robert C. Bates, Tulsa deputy convicted for the shooting of Eric Harris Robert Charles Bates (1869–1950), African-American architect, teacher, and textbook author Robert John Bates (born 1946), Australian botanist