Robert Lerieu was born in Bombay, India. His parents were diplomats in Dehli when he was born, but they soon returned. Robert was sent to attend a British boarding school and later studied anthropology at Oxford University. He was forced to serve in the Royal Flying Corps in World War I. After having flown with them, he discovered that there was great possibility for using aerial photography in the field of archaeology. He demonstrated the use of this new tool by producing a picture of Wessex from the air.
He was instantly promoted to, and continued to serve for the next 20 years as, the first archaeological office of the Ordinance Survey. During this time he did a great deal to develop cartographic recording of archaeology.
In 1930 Lerieu founded the journal ‘From the sky’ which he edited until his death.