Robert P. Madison was born in Cleveland, Ohio and spent his early years in the south where his father was a professor of mathematics, physics and chemistry at Selma University and Benedict College.  He returned to Cleveland graduated from East Technical High School with honors in Mathematics and Science. He attended the School of Architecture at Howard University and left there to serve in World War II as a 2nd Lieutenant with the 92nd Infantry (Buffalo Soldiers).  He was wounded in action in the Italian Campaign where he received the Purple Heart, Battle Ribbons and four combat ribbons.

Mr. Madison received a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from Western Reserve University, a Master of Architecture Degree from Harvard University (Class President) and, as a Fulbright Scholar, pursued studies at L'Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris, France in Architecture and Urban Design.

Mr. Madison was an Assistant Professor of Architecture at Howard University until he opened his office in Cleveland in 1954. This was the first office in the State of Ohio by an African American Architect and the ninth in the country.  He is retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Robert P. Madison International, Inc.

Architects, Interiors and Planners (RPMI).

Major building projects include the United States Embassy (Dakar, Senegal), the Engineering and Nuclear Facility at Tuskegee University (Alabama), the State of Ohio Computer Center (Columbus), the Science and Research Center of Cleveland State University, the Continental Airlines Concourse "C" at Hopkins International Airport, the Rocky River Courts Building and the Theater and Performing Arts Complex at Cuyahoga Community College Eastern Campus.  RPMI served as Associate Architect for the Cleveland Browns Football Stadium, the Gund Arena, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Great Lakes Science Center and was Restoration Architect for the Cleveland Public Library. Churches, public schools, community centers, sports complexes, museums, libraries and housing estates comprise the portfolio of RPMI.

Mr. Madison has published articles in The Ohio Architect, The Journal of the American Institute of Architects, Architect and Artist, and Northern Ohio Live.

His professional affiliations include AIA Cleveland, the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects where he served as Chairman of the Jury of Fellows (1985) and Chairman of the National Ethics Council (1999). He founded the Ohio Association of Minority Architects and Engineers (1982).

Mr. Madison has been honored with honorary Degrees from Howard University, Cleveland State University, Kent State University and Case Western Reserve University, the AIA Ohio Gold Medal, the Cleveland Arts Prize, the Distinguished Architect, Distinguished Service and Distinguished Alumni Award, the 2002 AIA Whitney M. Young, Jr. Award and inducted into the Halls of Fame of Northeast Ohio Business and The Cleveland Engineering Society.  He is listed in Who's Who in the World, who's Who in America and Ebony publications:  1000 Successful Blacks.

Mr. Madison has served on the Board of the Cleveland Arts Prize, Cleveland Opera, Cleveland Orchestra, Cleveland Urban League and University Circle. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, Sigma Pi Phi and Epsilon Delta Rho Fraternities.

In 2004, celebrating 50 years of practice, he established “ASPIRE” the Robert P. Madison Scholarship Fund for the Study of Architecture which is managed by the Cleveland Foundation. Mr. Madison retired from his firm in 2016 where his Neice-in-law, Sandra Madison, AIA is now the CEO and Chairperson, his nephew, R. Kevin Madison, AIA is the President and Robert Klann, AIA is the CFO.

He was married to Leatrice Branch, (deceased) of Washington, D.C.  He has two adult children; three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.