Robert Creighton was born in Kingston in 1861, son of John Creighton, later Warden of Kingston Penitentiary. At 21, Robert became Warden's Clerk at Kingston Penitentiary. Promoted to Accountant on Dec. 29, 1892, he was transferred to Head Office in Ottawa on February 1, 1903.
From December of 1913 to April 1914, Creighton served as Warden of the Alberta Penitentiary at Edmonton. During that time, he acted as Warden of Kingston Penitentiary. He was permanently appointed to that office on August 1, 1914.
Warden Creighton's entire time as warden at Kingston Penitentiary was overshadowed by World War 1. Manufacturing at Canada's penitentiaries changed to support the war effort. Crime rates dropped as men went overseas. By 1918, inmates were granted pardons on condition they enlist for service. Many staff took leaves of absence to enlist, so temporary guards were hired to fill their positions.