Robert Bury Ferguson was born on February 5 1920 in Cambridge Ontario. Ferguson attended the University of Toronto from 1938-1948, learning from Martin Peacock who was known as a leader in x-ray crystallography. Ferguson joined the University of Manitoba’s Department of Geological Sciences in 1947 and brought with him his skills in x-ray crystallography. Ferguson was an important part of the departmental work on mineralogy and crystallography, including helping with the post-world war two expansion of the department. He remained active after his 1985 retirement as a Professor Emeritus who continued to conduct research and publish papers. The University of Manitoba mineral collection is held in the Robert B. Ferguson Museum of Mineralogy, which Ferguson helped to make more accessible for both learning students and casual visitors. He was praised as a teacher and mentor, and had the mineral bobfergusonite, found in Cross Lake, Manitoba named after him.

Ferguson helped set up the founding of the Mineralogical Association of Canada and was a recipient of the Hawsley Award from said organization in 1981. Ferguson was also a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.