Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany

Robert Stewart (1339 - 3 September 1420) was a Scottish prince and nobleman who ruled the Kingdom of Scotland as its effective monarch, under the title of Governor of Scotland, from 1406 until his death. Robert governed on behalf of his exiled nephew, King James I. Prior to his tenure as governor, Robert acted as regent at various times for his father, King Robert II, and his eldest brother, King Robert III.

The most powerful nobleman in Scotland for much of his life, Robert held the titles of Duke of Albany, Earl of Fife, and Earl of Menteith. His rule saw extensive warfare with the Kingdom of England, which was intertwined with both the Anglo-Scottish Wars and the Hundred Years' War, along with conflict in northern Scotland against the Lordship of the Isles. A ruthless politician, he was widely blamed for the death of his nephew, David, Duke of Rothesay, in 1402. Robert pursued architectural and cultural development in Scotland, including the construction of Doune Castle and the establishment of the University of St Andrews, the first such institution in the kingdom. Robert's support of Antipope Benedict XIII during the Western Schism provoked domestic and international controversy. After his death in 1420, Robert was succeeded as governor by his eldest son, Murdoch.