Michael Roberts (writer)
Encyclopedia
Michael Roberts originally named William Edward Roberts, was an English
poet, writer, critic and broadcaster, who made his living as a teacher.
, named William Edward Roberts, and educated at Bournemouth School
. From 1920 to 1922 he studied at King's College London
, taking a BSc in Chemistry. From 1922 to 1924 he read mathematics
at Trinity College, Cambridge
; it was during this period of his life he acquired the name Michael (after Mikhail Lomonosov
). In 1925 or 1926 he joined the Communist Party of Great Britain
but was expelled within a year.
From 1925 to 1931 he taught at the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle
. Then he moved to London, teaching at Mercers' School from 1931 to 1934. He then returned to the RGS. Having published a first poetry collection in 1930, he started to edit anthologies
, of which New Country (1933) became celebrated for the group of poets, including W. H. Auden
, it featured. In 1934 he took part in a high-profile series of radio broadcasts, Whither Britain?, together with major figures such as Winston Churchill
and Ernest Bevin
. In 1935 he married Janet Adam Smith
, critic and anthologist, and fellow mountaineer; they lived in Fern Avenue, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne
where they were visited by W. H. Auden
in September 1937. In 1939 they went to Penrith in Cumberland when the school was evacuated there. There they briefly shared a house with the poet Kathleen Raine
.
They had four children: Andrew Roberts, Professor of the History of Africa at the University of London
, b. 1937; Henrietta Dombey, Professor of Literacy in Primary Education at the University of Brighton
, b. 1939; Adam Roberts
, Professor of International Relations at Oxford University, b. 1940; and John Roberts
, writer on energy issues and Middle East politics, b. 1947.
The Faber Book of Modern Verse
(1936), which he edited, is the single piece of work for which Roberts is now best remembered. He followed it with poetry and prose writing, and a study of T. E. Hulme
. In 1941-5 he worked in London for the BBC European Service. From 1945 to 1948 he was Principal of the College of St Mark and St John in Chelsea, London
, where one of his colleagues was the biologist Cyril Bibby
. He died of leukaemia in 1948.
Michael and Janet Roberts had built up a large collection of books on mountaineering, which (along with the collection of the Oxford University Mountaineering Club) provided a basis for establishment in December 1992 of the Oxford Mountaineering Library. This is situated in the Radcliffe Science Library
in Parks Road in Oxford. Its location within the Radcliffe Science Library (Level 3) is shown here.http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/science/libraries/layout
, Julian Bell
, C. Day Lewis, Richard Eberhart
, William Empson
, John Lehmann
, William Plomer
, Stephen Spender
, A. S. J. Tessimond
, Richard Goodman
, C. Day Lewis, John Lehmann
, Charles Madge
, Michael Roberts, Stephen Spender
, A. S. J. Tessimond
, Rex Warner
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
poet, writer, critic and broadcaster, who made his living as a teacher.
Life
He was born in BournemouthBournemouth
Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. According to the 2001 Census the town has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth...
, named William Edward Roberts, and educated at Bournemouth School
Bournemouth School
Bournemouth School , is a boys' grammar school and sixth-form college occupying a site in Charminster, Bournemouth, Dorset, England and teaching children from years 7 to 13...
. From 1920 to 1922 he studied at King's College London
King's College London
King's College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London. King's has a claim to being the third oldest university in England, having been founded by King George IV and the Duke of Wellington in 1829, and...
, taking a BSc in Chemistry. From 1922 to 1924 he read mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
at Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
; it was during this period of his life he acquired the name Michael (after Mikhail Lomonosov
Mikhail Lomonosov
Mikhail Vasilyevich Lomonosov was a Russian polymath, scientist and writer, who made important contributions to literature, education, and science. Among his discoveries was the atmosphere of Venus. His spheres of science were natural science, chemistry, physics, mineralogy, history, art,...
). In 1925 or 1926 he joined the Communist Party of Great Britain
Communist Party of Great Britain
The Communist Party of Great Britain was the largest communist party in Great Britain, although it never became a mass party like those in France and Italy. It existed from 1920 to 1991.-Formation:...
but was expelled within a year.
From 1925 to 1931 he taught at the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle
Royal Grammar School, Newcastle
Royal Grammar School Newcastle upon Tyne, known locally and often abbreviated as RGS, is a long-established co-educational, independent school in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It gained its Royal Charter under Queen Elizabeth I...
. Then he moved to London, teaching at Mercers' School from 1931 to 1934. He then returned to the RGS. Having published a first poetry collection in 1930, he started to edit anthologies
Anthology
An anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts...
, of which New Country (1933) became celebrated for the group of poets, including W. H. Auden
W. H. Auden
Wystan Hugh Auden , who published as W. H. Auden, was an Anglo-American poet,The first definition of "Anglo-American" in the OED is: "Of, belonging to, or involving both England and America." See also the definition "English in origin or birth, American by settlement or citizenship" in See also...
, it featured. In 1934 he took part in a high-profile series of radio broadcasts, Whither Britain?, together with major figures such as Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
and Ernest Bevin
Ernest Bevin
Ernest Bevin was a British trade union leader and Labour politician. He served as general secretary of the powerful Transport and General Workers' Union from 1922 to 1945, as Minister of Labour in the war-time coalition government, and as Foreign Secretary in the post-war Labour Government.-Early...
. In 1935 he married Janet Adam Smith
Janet Adam Smith
Janet Adam Smith was a writer, editor, literary journalist and champion of Scottish literature. She was active from the 1930s through to the end of the century and noted for her elegant prose, her penetrating judgement, her independence of mind – and her deep love of mountains and mountaineering...
, critic and anthologist, and fellow mountaineer; they lived in Fern Avenue, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
where they were visited by W. H. Auden
W. H. Auden
Wystan Hugh Auden , who published as W. H. Auden, was an Anglo-American poet,The first definition of "Anglo-American" in the OED is: "Of, belonging to, or involving both England and America." See also the definition "English in origin or birth, American by settlement or citizenship" in See also...
in September 1937. In 1939 they went to Penrith in Cumberland when the school was evacuated there. There they briefly shared a house with the poet Kathleen Raine
Kathleen Raine
Kathleen Jessie Raine was a British poet, critic, and scholar writing in particular on William Blake, W. B. Yeats and Thomas Taylor. Known for her interest in various forms of spirituality, most prominently Platonism and Neoplatonism, she was a founder member of the Temenos Academy.-Life:Raine was...
.
They had four children: Andrew Roberts, Professor of the History of Africa at the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
, b. 1937; Henrietta Dombey, Professor of Literacy in Primary Education at the University of Brighton
University of Brighton
The University of Brighton is an English university of the United Kingdom, with a community of over 23,000 students and 2,600 staff based on campuses in Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings. It has one of the best teaching quality ratings in the UK and a strong research record, factors which...
, b. 1939; Adam Roberts
Adam Roberts (scholar)
Sir Adam Roberts, KCMG, FBA is President of the British Academy , the UK's national academy for the humanities and social sciences...
, Professor of International Relations at Oxford University, b. 1940; and John Roberts
John Roberts (writer)
John Roberts is a British writer specialising in the inter-relationship between energy issues and politics. He currently writes for Platts, a provider of energy and metals information and a source of benchmark price assessments in the physical energy markets.-Life:John Roberts is the youngest son...
, writer on energy issues and Middle East politics, b. 1947.
The Faber Book of Modern Verse
Faber Book of Modern Verse
The Faber Book of Modern Verse was a poetry anthology, edited in its first edition by Michael Roberts, and published in 1936 by Faber and Faber. There was a second edition edited by Anne Ridler, and a third edition edited by Donald Hall. The selection was of poems in English printed after 1910,...
(1936), which he edited, is the single piece of work for which Roberts is now best remembered. He followed it with poetry and prose writing, and a study of T. E. Hulme
T. E. Hulme
Thomas Ernest Hulme was an English critic and poet who, through his writings on art, literature and politics, had a notable influence upon modernism.-Early life:...
. In 1941-5 he worked in London for the BBC European Service. From 1945 to 1948 he was Principal of the College of St Mark and St John in Chelsea, London
Chelsea, London
Chelsea is an area of West London, England, bounded to the south by the River Thames, where its frontage runs from Chelsea Bridge along the Chelsea Embankment, Cheyne Walk, Lots Road and Chelsea Harbour. Its eastern boundary was once defined by the River Westbourne, which is now in a pipe above...
, where one of his colleagues was the biologist Cyril Bibby
Cyril Bibby
Cyril Bibby was a biologist and educator. He was also one of the first sexologists.-Early life, family, etc. :...
. He died of leukaemia in 1948.
Michael and Janet Roberts had built up a large collection of books on mountaineering, which (along with the collection of the Oxford University Mountaineering Club) provided a basis for establishment in December 1992 of the Oxford Mountaineering Library. This is situated in the Radcliffe Science Library
Radcliffe Science Library
The Radcliffe Science Library is the main teaching and research science library at the University of Oxford, England.Being officially part of the Bodleian Library, although with a completely separate building, the library holds the Legal Deposit material for the sciences and is thus entitled to...
in Parks Road in Oxford. Its location within the Radcliffe Science Library (Level 3) is shown here.http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/science/libraries/layout
Poets in New Signatures (1932)
W. H. AudenW. H. Auden
Wystan Hugh Auden , who published as W. H. Auden, was an Anglo-American poet,The first definition of "Anglo-American" in the OED is: "Of, belonging to, or involving both England and America." See also the definition "English in origin or birth, American by settlement or citizenship" in See also...
, Julian Bell
Julian Bell
Julian Heward Bell was an English poet, and the son of Clive and Vanessa Bell . The writer Quentin Bell was his younger brother, and the writer and painter Angelica Garnett is his half-sister...
, C. Day Lewis, Richard Eberhart
Richard Eberhart
Richard Ghormley Eberhart was an American poet who published more than a dozen books of poetry and approximately twenty works in total...
, William Empson
William Empson
Sir William Empson was an English literary critic and poet.He was known as "燕卜荪" in Chinese.He was widely influential for his practice of closely reading literary works, fundamental to the New Critics...
, John Lehmann
John Lehmann
Rudolf John Frederick Lehmann was an English poet and man of letters, and one of the foremost literary editors of the twentieth century, founding the periodicals New Writing and The London Magazine.The fourth child of journalist Rudolph Lehmann, and brother of Helen Lehmann, novelist Rosamond...
, William Plomer
William Plomer
William Charles Franklyn Plomer CBE was a South African author, known as a novelist, poet and literary editor. He was educated mostly in the United Kingdom...
, Stephen Spender
Stephen Spender
Sir Stephen Harold Spender CBE was an English poet, novelist and essayist who concentrated on themes of social injustice and the class struggle in his work...
, A. S. J. Tessimond
A. S. J. Tessimond
Arthur Seymour John Tessimond was an English poet.He went to Charterhouse School, but ran away at age 16...
Poets in New Country (1933)
W. H. AudenW. H. Auden
Wystan Hugh Auden , who published as W. H. Auden, was an Anglo-American poet,The first definition of "Anglo-American" in the OED is: "Of, belonging to, or involving both England and America." See also the definition "English in origin or birth, American by settlement or citizenship" in See also...
, Richard Goodman
Richard Goodman
Richard Goodman born July 11, 1945 is an American writer of nonfiction. He lives in New York, New York. He is on the faculty of Spalding University's Brief Residency Master of Fine Arts Program in Louisville Kentucky.. He is the author of two books of nonfiction...
, C. Day Lewis, John Lehmann
John Lehmann
Rudolf John Frederick Lehmann was an English poet and man of letters, and one of the foremost literary editors of the twentieth century, founding the periodicals New Writing and The London Magazine.The fourth child of journalist Rudolph Lehmann, and brother of Helen Lehmann, novelist Rosamond...
, Charles Madge
Charles Madge
Charles Madge , was an English poet, journalist and sociologist, now most remembered as a founder of Mass-Observation.As a sociologist, he co-founded Mass-Observation with Tom Harrisson in 1937, an endeavour which would occupy more of his time than literature...
, Michael Roberts, Stephen Spender
Stephen Spender
Sir Stephen Harold Spender CBE was an English poet, novelist and essayist who concentrated on themes of social injustice and the class struggle in his work...
, A. S. J. Tessimond
A. S. J. Tessimond
Arthur Seymour John Tessimond was an English poet.He went to Charterhouse School, but ran away at age 16...
, Rex Warner
Rex Warner
Rex Warner was an English classicist, writer and translator. He is now probably best remembered for The Aerodrome , an allegorical novel whose young hero is faced with the disintegration of his certainties about his loved ones and with a choice between the earthy, animalistic life of his home...
Books by Michael Roberts
- These Our Matins (poems), Elkin Mathews & Marrot, London, 1930.
- (ed.) New Signatures: Poems by Several Hands, Hogarth Press, London, 1932.
- (ed.) New Country: Prose and Poetry by the authors of New Signatures, Hogarth Press, London, 1933.
- (ed.) Elizabethan Prose, London, Jonathan Cape, 1933.
- (with E.R. Thomas) Newton and the Origin of Colours: A Study of One of the Earliest Examples of Scientific Method, G. Bell, London, 1934.
- Critique of Poetry, Jonathan Cape, London, 1934.
- Poems, Jonathan Cape, London, 1936.
- (ed.) The Faber Book of Modern VerseFaber Book of Modern VerseThe Faber Book of Modern Verse was a poetry anthology, edited in its first edition by Michael Roberts, and published in 1936 by Faber and Faber. There was a second edition edited by Anne Ridler, and a third edition edited by Donald Hall. The selection was of poems in English printed after 1910,...
, Faber & Faber, London, 1936. - The Modern Mind, Faber & Faber, London, 1937.
- T.E. Hulme, Faber & Faber, London, 1938.
- Orion Marches (poems), Faber & Faber, London, 1939.
- The Recovery of the West, Faber & Faber, London, 1941.
- (ed.) The Faber Book of Comic Verse, Faber & Faber, London, 1942.
- The Estate of Man, Faber & Faber, London, 1951.
- Collected Poems, Faber & Faber, London, 1958.
Other sources
- Frederick Grubb (ed.), Michael Roberts: Selected Poems and Prose, Carcanet Press, 1980.http://www.carcanet.co.uk/cgi-bin/indexer?product=9780856352638
- Michael H. Whitworth, Physics and the Literary Community, 1905-1939, unpublished Oxford D.Phil. thesis, 1994. Contains checklist of Roberts's contributions to periodicals, includes items not listed in Grubb's bibliography.
- Samuel Hines, entry on Michael Roberts in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edition October 2009.
- Jason Harding, The Criterion: Cultural Politics and Periodical Networks in Inter-war Britain, Oxford University Press, 2002. (Chapter 8, pp.159-174, 'Michael Roberts and Janet Adam Smith: New Signatures'.) ISBN 978-0-19-924717-2.
- Nicolas Barker, obituary: "Janet Adam Smith: A Woman of Substance in Literature and Mountaineering", The Guardian, London, 14 September 1999.http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/1999/sep/14/guardianobituaries2
- Leonard MiallLeonard MiallRowland Leonard Miall was a broadcaster and administrator at the BBC for 35 years, from 1939 to 1974. In retirement, he became a research historian, studying the history of broadcasting.-Early life:...
, "Obituary: Janet Adam Smith", The Independent, London, 13 September 1999.http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/obituary-janet-adam-smith-1118813.html