Robert Studley Vidal was an English barrister, antiquary, legal writer and translator. He lived at Cornborough near Bideford, Devon, and died there on 21 November 1841. He founded two scholarships at St John's College, Cambridge, charged upon his manor of Abbotsham.

The DNB provides both the biographical details and the direct evidence for his connection with Abbotsham Manor.

Research sources:
- Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, entry for Robert Studley Vidal, stating that his scholarships were charged upon his manor of Abbotsham. — https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Dictionary_of_National_Biography%2C_1885-1900/Vidal%2C_Robert_Studley
- Wikipedia biographical reference — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Studley_Vidal