Absalom Willis Robertson graduated from the University of Richmond in 1907 and began his career in public service by being elected to the Virginia State Senate, where he represented Bedford and Rockbridge counties. He later served as Commonwealth Attorney for Rockbridge County. During World War I, he was assigned stateside in the United States Army. Robertson transitioned to federal politics, serving in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1932 to 1946 before being elected to the U.S. Senate. He chaired the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and was known for his opposition to certain civil rights advancements.

Absalom Willis Robertson's political identity is marked by a blend of regional advocacy and staunch opposition to federal civil rights mandates. His legislative efforts, such as the Pittman–Robertson Act, reveal a knack for leveraging federal resources for local environmental causes. However, his signing of the Southern Manifesto and refusal to meet with Lady Bird Johnson highlight a rigid resistance to civil rights advancements, showcasing a deeply entrenched ideological stance. This juxtaposition of localized environmentalism with a hardline segregationist position creates a compelling, if controversial, political narrative.