Robert N. Baskin was born 1838?, settled in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1865, and died August 25, 1918. He was a prominent Protestant attorney. According to an article appearing in the Deseret News on August 26, 1918, "he did much to develop Utah mines, prosecuted John D. Lee, wrote his Reminiscences, and was active in politics, especially against polygamy. He drew and procured the Cullom Bill , was mayor of Salt Lake City elected under the Utah Liberal Party in 1892, and was associate justice of the Supreme Court of Utah (sworn in January 3, 1899).

Many considered him a "radical" and the Deseret News "found it necessary to oppose his operations and criticize his methods with all the force it could command." However the paper "found itself able to conscientiously to support him for high public office, and to commend his offical acts and policies, especially as mayor of Salt Lake City." In his Reply he says, "I assure the Mormon people I am not their enemy, but their friend...I openly, and above board honestly and untiringly strove to Americanize theocratic Utah...Though not a prophet, I have been profitable to the Mormon people."