One of the UK's leading amateur botanists and nature conservationists from Wales. He co-founded the North Wales Naturalists' Trust (North Wales Wildlife Trust) and was the organisation's first General Secretary. He had an international reputation for his expertise in Polypodium, Dactylorhiza, and Mimulus.
Educated at the University College of Wales, Bangor. He received no formal education in botany at school or university. He spent his whole career working as a primary school teacher.
In 1947, he was appointed to teach at Penmachno, Wales. This allowed him to study the mountain flora of Eryri (Snowdonia). He had a particular interest in ferns. Roberts studied the distribution patterns of plants against rock types.
In 1955, he and his family moved to Bangor, Wales, where he was appointed head teacher until his retirement in 1974.
Roberts was an active member of the British Pteridological Society (BPS) and the Botanical Society of the British Isles (BSBI) for almost 50 years. From 1955 to 1995, he was the BSBI Vice County Recorder for Anglesey (VC52).
After extensive fieldwork, Roberts published 2 books:
- The Flowering Plants and Ferns of Anglesey (Cardiff: National Museum of Wales, 1982)
- An Atlas of the Flowering Plants and Ferns of Anglesey (The Author, 2002)
In his lifetime, he would also publish nearly 50 scientific articles and papers on his own and was formally acknowledged in more than 20. Roberts' work was recognised in the naming of two taxa: Mimulus x robertsii and Equisetum x robertsii.
Roberts was always happy to share his knowledge and experience. Often advising university staff and students, professional conservationists, taxonomists, and fellow amateur botanists.
In 1979, Roberts developed a strong relationship with the University at Bangor and, in recognition of his botanical and conservation work, was awarded an Honorary MSc by the University of Wales. He also became an Honorary Member of the BSBI and was awarded the Linnean Society's H.H. Bloomer Medal for services to botany and conservation in 1999.
Roberts was described as a very modest man who was content with working quietly without acknowledgement. His other interests included archaeology, Welsh history, poetry, and Welsh Mountain sheep breeding.
