Robert Henry Symes was born in 1837 and educated at Taunton.  He became Sheriff for the City of Bristol in 1887 and was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1889. He served a total of six term as Mayor and Lord Mayor and became an Alderman in 1895.  He used his influence to raise funds for various causes:-

1893 - Pontypridd colliery disaster
1896 - Unemployed in Bristol : raised £5000
1897 - Indian Famine Relief Fund : raised £6000
1897 - Convalescent Home : raised £83,000

He was knighted at Osborne House in January 1898.  He died in 1908 at the age of 71.