Robert Houstoun was born in Renfrew on 2 Dec 1779. He was the 5th son of Colonel Andrew Houstoun of Jordanhill, Renfrewshire. His mother was Margaret, daughter of Hugh Wallace of Cairnhill, Ayrshire. He was a cadet in 1794 and arrived in India on 26 Feb 1796. At first he was posted to the 2nd BNC and promoted to lieutenant on 1 Nov 1798, transferring to the 4th BNC. When the 6th BNC was raised he was appointed Adjutant to that regiment on 29 May 1800. He was in the operations in Jumna Doab in 1803, at Sasni, Bijaigarh and Kachaura, and promoted to Captain on 22 Dec 1803. He served in the Second Maharatta War, at Delhi, Agra, Laswarree, Deig, Bhurtpore and Afzalgarh, and then appointed Brigade Major to the Cavalry Brigade and Prize Agent for Native Cavalry. He commanded the 6th BNC from 1805 to 1814 and led the regiment in the operations against Dhundia Khan in 1807; at Komona, Ganauri, the Settlememt of Hariana in 1809, and Bhawani. He was promoted to Major on 1 Nov 1809 and went on furlough in 1815 for two years.
He was appointed CB on 3 Feb 1817 and was in the Guide and Intelligence Department from 12 Nov 1817 during the Third Maharatta War. In 1818 he was Commandant of the Cavalry Depot and promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel on 13 Dec 1818. He was given command of the newly raised 1st Extra regiment of Native Cavalry on 1 Mar 1824, which became the 9th BNC in 1826. He was promoted to Colonel on 5 June 1829. However, it seems doubtful that he took up the command of the 9th as his record shows that he was on furlough from 20 Oct 1821 until his death. The Army Lists show him as Colonel of the 9th BLC from 1829 to 1857. He was also appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Addiscombe Cadet College on 18 Mar 1824, until 26 Mar 1834. He was promoted to Major-General on 10 Jan 1837 and elevated to KCB on 10 Mar 1837. He was then promoted to Lieutenant-General on 9 Nov 1846, and General on 20 June 1854. He died in Torquay on 5 April 1862 at the age of 83. He was married to Frances Folliott, daughter of Captain Folliott RN. They had seven children; 5 sons and 2 daughters. Lady Frances Houstoun died two years after her husband, on 16 Nov 1864.
