Robert Joseph Sheheen (born January 21, 1943) is an American lawyer and politician. A Democrat, Sheheen served as Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1986 to 1994. Sheheen was the first Lebanese-American to serve in the position.

Early life and education

Sheheen was born in Camden, South Carolina. He received a bachelor's degree from Duke University in 1965 and a law degree from the University of South Carolina in 1968. Sheheen later received honorary degrees from The Citadel and Winthrop University.

Political career

Sheheen was a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1977 to 2000; he served as speaker from 1986 to 1994. Sheheen was Speaker of the House during the Operation Lost Trust scandal. He left the speakership in 1994 and was succeeded in the House of Representatives by his nephew, Vincent Sheheen, in 2000.