Roberts, John, 1816-1894 (harpist)
Dates
- Existence: 1816 - 1894
Biography
John Roberts (1816-1894), harpist, was born in Llanrhaiadr, Wales. He was a drummer in the 23rd Regiment for ten years, and later trained the Machynlleth Drum and Fife Band. In 1889 he gave a concert with his family before the Queen at Bala. Roberts died at Newtown on 12 May 1894.
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
John Roberts: Copies of his letters to Francis Hindes Groome, scholar of Gypsy life
A typescript copy, made by R.A.S. Macfie of letters written to F.H. Groome with manuscript annotations. There are 201 numbered pages, of which the last 17 are blank. The letters are from John Roberts, with the exception of the final letter, written by Groome's mother-in-law. The script includes early examples of Welsh Romani [Romany], for which there are 'hasty, unstudied translations' made by Macfie in September 1926.