Sir Robert Ernest Kelly CB FRCS (7 April 1879 – 16 November 1944) was a British professor of surgery at the University of Liverpool. He was a younger son of iron merchant Robert Kelly of Liverpool and educated at Liverpool Institute and University College, then part of Victoria University. He was amongst the first medical graduates of the newly formed University of Liverpool and was clinically trained at Liverpool Royal Infirmary, becoming house surgeon and surgeon, and then consulting surgeon.