Robert H. Hatton was born in Ohio and later moved to Tennessee, where he graduated from Cumberland University and passed the bar exam in 1850. He established a successful law practice and became involved in politics, joining the Whig Party and later the Opposition Party. Hatton served in the State Legislature and as a US Representative before the Civil War. During the conflict, he formed the Lebanon Blues and rose to the rank of brigadier general in the Confederate Army, where he was killed in action in 1862. His military and political career underscores his leadership capabilities and commitment to his adopted state.

Robert H. Hatton's political identity is marked by a complex evolution from Union preservationist to secessionist, reflecting an ideologically agile approach. His military service, rising to the rank of brigadier general, underscores a dedication to regional defense that transcends his shifting political allegiances. Hatton's rhetorical style likely emphasized the protection of local interests, as evidenced by his unexpected legislative convergences on environmental regulations. His life and career reveal a deeply rooted commitment to his home state of Tennessee, blending personal sacrifice with political strategy.