Governor of Rhode Island. He graduated from Fordham University in 1927 and received a law degree from Boston University Law School in 1930, afterwards practicing in Providence. A Democrat, he served in the Rhode Island Senate from 1935 to 1939 and was Chairman of the Rhode Island Democratic Party from 1938 to 1943. He served in the Navy during World War II as a Lieutenant Commander and head of a school that trained military members for sabotage and other behind the lines activities, which remained secret until after the war. From 1941 to 1951 Roberts served as Mayor of Providence. In 1950 he was elected Governor, and served four terms, 1951 to 1959. He ran unsuccessfully for reelection in 1958 and was an unsuccessful US Senate candidate in 1960. From 1969 until his death Roberts was Chairman of the Rhode Island Board of Regents. He died while undergoing surgery to repair a ruptured aneurysm.
Governor of Rhode Island. He graduated from Fordham University in 1927 and received a law degree from Boston University Law School in 1930, afterwards practicing in Providence. A Democrat, he served in the Rhode Island Senate from 1935 to 1939 and was Chairman of the Rhode Island Democratic Party from 1938 to 1943. He served in the Navy during World War II as a Lieutenant Commander and head of a school that trained military members for sabotage and other behind the lines activities, which remained secret until after the war. From 1941 to 1951 Roberts served as Mayor of Providence. In 1950 he was elected Governor, and served four terms, 1951 to 1959. He ran unsuccessfully for reelection in 1958 and was an unsuccessful US Senate candidate in 1960. From 1969 until his death Roberts was Chairman of the Rhode Island Board of Regents. He died while undergoing surgery to repair a ruptured aneurysm.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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