About Robert Butler
Lived 1844 – 1905 (aged 60–61). Robert Butler was a New Zealand serial killer.
Robert Butler ( – 17 July 1905), also known as James Wharton, was a New Zealand-Australian career criminal and murderer. He was born in either Kilkenny, County Kilkenny, Ireland or Bury, Lancashire, England on . He was suspected of murdering a family of three in New Zealand in 1880, but was acquitted. However, Butler did receive an 18-year sentence on separate charges of arson and burglary. Butler was released from prison in 1896, after which he returned to Australia. He was executed for another murder in Queensland in 1905.
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Important facts
People in Robert Butler's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Robert Butler's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Robert Butler?
Criminal, murderer (1844–1905)
When was Robert Butler born?
Robert Butler was born in 1844.
When did Robert Butler die?
Robert Butler died on 17 July 1905.
What was Robert Butler's occupation?
Robert Butler was a serial killer.
What nationality was Robert Butler?
Robert Butler was New Zealand.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Robert Butler (criminal)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Robert Butler. https://biography.guide/robert-butler-serial-killer/
MLA: "Robert Butler." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/robert-butler-serial-killer/.
Chicago: "Robert Butler." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/robert-butler-serial-killer/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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