Robert Roberts (butler)
Encyclopedia
Robert Roberts was the author of The House Servant's Directory: A Monitor for Private Families. First published in 1827, the book was the first commercially published book written by an African American
in the United States
. The book was sufficiently popular that two later editions were printed. In 1825 he became the butler for Christopher Gore
, Governor and Senator from Massachusetts
, and remained in the position until Gore's death in 1827. Previously he had been a butler or manservant for Nathan Appleton
and it is likely that Roberts traveled abroad with Appleton from 1810 to 1812.
Roberts married Dorothy Hall in 1805. They had no children, and Dorothy died of tuberculosis in 1813. Later in 1813 he married Sarah Easton. They had twelve children. Later in life he was known in Boston as an abolitionist and for his efforts to secure equal school rights.
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The book was sufficiently popular that two later editions were printed. In 1825 he became the butler for Christopher Gore
Christopher Gore
Christopher Gore was a prominent Massachusetts lawyer, Federalist politician, and diplomat.-Biography:Gore was born in Boston in 1758, the tenth of thirteen children of Frances and John Gore, a successful merchant and artisan...
, Governor and Senator from Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, and remained in the position until Gore's death in 1827. Previously he had been a butler or manservant for Nathan Appleton
Nathan Appleton
Nathan Appleton was an American merchant and politician.- Biography :Appleton was born in New Ipswich, New Hampshire, the son of Isaac Appleton and his wife Mary Adams. Appleton's father was a church deacon, and Nathan was brought up in "strictest form of Calvinistic Congregationalism." He was...
and it is likely that Roberts traveled abroad with Appleton from 1810 to 1812.
Roberts married Dorothy Hall in 1805. They had no children, and Dorothy died of tuberculosis in 1813. Later in 1813 he married Sarah Easton. They had twelve children. Later in life he was known in Boston as an abolitionist and for his efforts to secure equal school rights.