Robertson married Florence Elizabeth Graham in 1912. He took up the chair of chemistry at Victoria University College in 1920 where he headed the department for 30 years.
Robertson had an interest in literature and wrote several short stories.
In his retirement Robertson was appointed professor emeritus. He was awarded the Hector Memorial Medal in 1919 and in 1950 was elected to a fellowship of the Royal Society of New Zealand. Robertson died in London on 7 May 1969.