Robert M. Coleman

Robert M. Coleman (c. 1799 – July 1, 1837) was a Republic of Texas politician, soldier, and an early commander of the Texas Rangers. A signatory of the Texas Declaration of Independence, he served as an aide-de-camp to Sam Houston at the Battle of San Jacinto. His later career was marked by a public feud with Houston, leading to his dismissal from the army and the publication of the critical pamphlet Houston Displayed. He is the namesake of Coleman County, Texas.

Coleman was appointed one of the first Texas Rangers. His outpost, Coleman's Fort, was later named Fort Colorado. Early writers on Coleman include Noah Smithwick, a contemporary frontiersman who was stationed at Coleman's Fort. Coleman is referenced in Smithwick's book Recollections of Old Texas Days.

On February 1, 1858, he became the posthumous namesake of Coleman County, Texas. This led to Coleman City, Coleman Lake, and many other features, places, businesses, and identifiers in Coleman County also bearing his name.

Suspicious drowning Coleman died in 1837 at Brazos River. He supposedly drowned, though there are suspicions of foul play.