Roberts, Holland

Biography

Holland Roberts' higher education was at the University of Chicago where he received advanced degrees in English (1919) and Education (1925). During his early career, he taught English at various midwest colleges and in New York City at Columbia University. In 1934 he came to Stanford University as an assistant professor of education for English teachers and by 1939, he was an associate professor. Dr. Roberts professional affiliations included the National Council of Teachers of English; he served as president in 1937-38 and again in 1944. He was the author of textbooks, articles and research studies in the field of education. His extra-curricular interests and activities included a lifelong study of the USSR, AFT organizing at Stanford, campaigning for the freedom of Tom Mooney, and promoting a school for trade unionists and the new workers in WWII industries. These activities served to identify Holland Roberts as a left-wing radical and Stanford University responded by refusing to renew his contract in the Spring of 1944. As he was not tenured, the action served as dismissal without recourse.

Following his termination at Stanford, Dr. Roberts began his staff affiliation with the California Labor School by accepting the post of educational director. When Dave Jenkins left as director in 1949, Roberts took that position and remained as the head until the government closed the School in 1957.

Holland Roberts had been actively involved with the School prior to his employment as educational director. He writes of participating in meetings which led to the establishment in 1942 of what was then known as the Tom Mooney Labor School, and he was listed on the Board of Directors in the 1944 School catalog.

Throughout his life, Holland Roberts was an active leader in the peace movement and worked for friendship and cultural exchange with socialist countries. His service as president of the American Russian Institute for 20 years gained him recognition as an expert on the USSR. On his 80th birthday, he was commended by President Ford for his work improving relations between the US and the USSR. The Supreme Soviet of the USSR also gave him the high honor of the Friendship of the Peoples Award.

From the guide to the Holland Roberts Collection, 1944-1957, (San Francisco State University. Labor Archives & Research Center)