Colonel James W. Roberts Papers

Collection

Collection ID: MG 2

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Col. James W. Roberts represented Norfolk from 1948 to 1968 in the Virginia House of Delegates. His papers consist principally of legislative correspondence for the period 1963-1964. The correspondence is arranged alphabetically according to its source. In addition there are two boxes of publications issued by agencies of state government and one box of other publications. Also included is the two-volume study, Debates Constitutional Convention 1901-1902 Virginia.

Dates

1906, 1944-1964, undated
Other: Date acquired: 08/21/1975

Creator

Roberts, James W. (1891-1977) (Person)

Extent

3.20 Linear Feet

Conditions Governing Access

Open to researchers without restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, and the holder of the copyright, if not Old Dominion University Libraries.

Biographical or Historical Information

James Walker Roberts was born on December 2, 1891, in Alexandria, Virginia and was educated at the Friends (High) School in Washington, D.C. Roberts served in the U.S. Army in World War I and attained the rank of Captain in the Field Artillery. He returned to uniform during World War II as a Lt. Colonel commanding a Virginia State Guard Battalion. His service earned Col. Roberts the First Citizen Award of Norfolk Cosmopolitan Club in 1943. Roberts enjoyed a successful business career in Norfolk which saw him become president and then chairman of the board of the Henry B. Gilprin Co., wholesale drug firm. His political career was equally successful. From 1948-1968 Roberts represented Norfolk in the Virginia General Assembly where he came to occupy a powerful position on the Appropriations Committee. Roberts also served on the Norfolk City Planning Commission and was appointed to several Governor's advisory committees.

Note written by James F. Walsh

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

President and chairman of Henry B. Gilprin, a wholesale drug firm. Served in the General Assembly from 1948-1968, holding a powerful position on the Appropriations Committee. Served on the Norfolk Planning Commission. The bulk of the collection contains legislative correspondence from 1963-1964.