Robert Cooper graduated with a law degree and was admitted to the bar in 1898. He began his career in public service by being elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1900. Cooper later served as the 93rd governor of South Carolina, where he implemented progressive policies including new labor laws, a seven-month school term, compulsory school attendance, expanded health care, and improved state roadways. After his governorship, he transitioned to federal roles, including a position with the Federal Farm Loan Board and later as General Counsel of the Commodity Credit Corporation. Cooper was appointed Judge of the District Court for Puerto Rico by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, where he notably presided over the trial and retrial for sedition of Pedro Albizu Campos and others.

Robert Cooper's political identity is marked by a blend of progressive reforms and judicial rigor. His tenure as governor saw the introduction of groundbreaking labor laws and compulsory education, yet his judicial role involved overseeing high-profile sedition cases. Cooper's approach reveals a tension between progressive social policies and a firm stance on national security issues. His unexpected convergence with opposing factions on environmental regulations indicates a highly calculated strategy to protect regional industrial interests.