Robert Dolling was born at Magheralin, County Down, and was educated at Harrow and Cambridge. He worked as a land agent at Kilrea, County Londonderry, and from 1870 to 1878 was involved in social work in Dublin. Before being ordained in 1885 he worked in London slums and was known as 'Brother Bob'. The next ten years of his life are documented in his publication Ten Years in a Portsmouth Slum. He resigned from the Church, but, as 'Father Dolling', went to Poplar in 1898 and continued his philanthropic endeavours. It is said that he died from overwork. [Biographies by Osborne and Clayton]

Born:	10 February 1851
Died:	22 May 1902