Born in Edinburgh, Robert Whytt was the son of Robert Whytt of Bennochie, Fife. He studied medicine in Edinburgh for four years under Monro primus, then continued his studies in London, Paris, and Leiden. Whytt received an MD from Rheims in 1736 and an MD from St Andrews in 1737, became a Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh in 1737, and a Fellow in 1738.
