Robert Evander McNair completed his undergraduate and law degrees at the University of South Carolina, establishing a strong academic foundation. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, earning a Bronze Star, which underscores his commitment to public service. McNair began his political career by being elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives, eventually rising to the position of governor. Throughout his career, he demonstrated leadership in managing significant civil rights challenges and economic initiatives, including the creation of Francis Marion University.

Robert Evander McNair's political identity is marked by a complex blend of progressive action and historical conservatism. His later admission of responsibility for the Orangeburg Massacre, after initially blaming Black Power advocates, suggests a willingness to confront and correct past wrongs. McNair's establishment of Francis Marion University and his proactive stance on school integration post-Orangeburg reveal a calculated approach to addressing racial tensions while fostering economic development. This juxtaposition of progressive civil rights actions with a background rooted in traditional Southern values presents an intriguing political persona.