Biography
South Jersey A History 1664–1924
Robert J. Tait Paul was born February 18, 1896, in Northallerton, Yorkshire, England. His parents, Henry Philip Paul and Alison (Hart) Paul, brought the family to Camden where his father managed the Congoleum-Nairn Plant. He had three older siblings: Alexander Guthrie Philip (born 1891), Margaret (born 1892), and Catherine (born 1894).
Robert attended Camden public schools before enrolling at William Penn Charter School, graduating in 1916. He entered Princeton University and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1919. He then attended the University of Pennsylvania Law School, earning his LL.B. degree in 1923.
During World War I, Robert enlisted on August 12, 1917, serving with the 319th Infantry, 18th Division. He rose from second lieutenant to first lieutenant and saw action in the St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, and Aisne-Marne campaigns. He was discharged on June 30, 1919.
He was admitted to the New Jersey bar in February 1923 and maintained law offices at 522 Market Street in Camden.
Robert was a member of Haddonfield Blue Lodge No. 130 (Masons), Camden County Bar Association, New Jersey State Bar Association, Phi Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Phi, Gibson Inn, Princeton Club, Dial Lodge, and the Haddonfield Presbyterian Church.
On June 28, 1924, he married Maude Beatrice Letson of Stelton, Middlesex County. They made their home on Hickory Lane in Haddonfield.