About Robert D. Yates
Lived 1857 – 1885 (aged 27–28). Robert D. Yates was an American athlete and physician.
Robert David Yates (December 27, 1857 in Brooklyn; September 19, 1885) was an American draughts champion and medical doctor. He was considered to be prodigious at draughts and was the only American to hold the title of world champion in the 19th century, which he won from James Wyllie in 1876 at age 18. He held the title until 1878 when he retired as world champion and the title reverted to Wyllie. He died of typhus at age 27 while serving as ships physician aboard the steamship Scheidam and was buried at sea.
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Important facts
People in Robert D. Yates's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Robert D. Yates's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Robert D. Yates?
American draughts champion (1857–1885)
When was Robert D. Yates born?
Robert D. Yates was born in 1857.
When did Robert D. Yates die?
Robert D. Yates died in 1885.
What was Robert D. Yates's occupation?
Robert D. Yates was an athlete and physician.
What nationality was Robert D. Yates?
Robert D. Yates was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Robert D. Yates. https://biography.guide/robert-d-yates/
MLA: "Robert D. Yates." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/robert-d-yates/.
Chicago: "Robert D. Yates." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/robert-d-yates/.
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