Robert W. Scott graduated from North Carolina State College and served in the US Army Counter Intelligence Corps. He was recognized by the National Grange for his contributions to community development. Scott spent several years in the public sector, including a term as governor, during which he addressed significant racial violence and established an advisory body. He later served as President of the North Carolina Community College System, advocating for its expansion and improvement.

Robert W. Scott's political identity is marked by a blend of traditional values and progressive pragmatism, particularly in his advocacy for education and historic preservation. His tenure as governor saw a notable response to racial violence, revealing a nuanced approach to civil rights. Scott's support for family involvement in agriculture, alongside his daughter's role as NC Commissioner of Agriculture, suggests a deeply rooted, localized strategy. His creation of the Executive Cabinet indicates an innovative yet somewhat unorthodox method of governance.