Career
He was appointed as Solicitor-General in 1777, and a judge of the Court of Common Pleas in 1779. He was born at Whitehaven, Cumberland, son of Robert Hellen senior. His family moved to Dublin where he was educated at the University of Dublin, taking his degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1746 and Bachelor of Laws in 1749.
He entered Middle Temple in 1749 and was called to the Irish bar in 1755.
He became King"s Counsel in 1774. They had four daughters.
When young he was described rather sentimentally as " a youth of fair fame and gentle endowments". In later life he was noted for his literary tastes: he enjoyed the company of poets and writers like Charlotte Brooke, and built up an impressive library and picture collection.
He was considered a poor politician, but a learned judge.