Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
- Overview of the Collection
-
Biographical Note
- Content Description
- Use of the Collection
- Administrative Information
-
Detailed Description of the Collection
- Biographical information
- Biographical information - Mary Markham Roberts
- Incoming letters
- Outgoing letters
- Financial records
- Legislation
- Legal documents
- Notes
- Lists
- Speeches and writings
- Speeches and writings of others
- Clippings, Personal
- Clippins, Political
- Clippings, Miscellaneous
- Diaries
- Photographs - Roberts, Joseph Dana
- Photographs, Miscellaneous
- Press releases
- Invitations
- Programs
- Drawings
- Memorabilia
- Newspapers
- Publications and related materials
- Publications of others
- House plans
- Paintings
- Certificates
- Miscellaneous
- Ephemera
- Scrapbooks
- Subject series
- The Seattle Guide
- Seattlife
- Seattlight
- Chamber of Commerce, Seattle Jr.
- Names and Subjects
Joseph Dana Roberts papers, 1922-1949
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Roberts, Joseph Dana
- Title
- Joseph Dana Roberts papers
- Dates
- 1922-1949 (inclusive)19221949
- Quantity
- 2.95 cubic ft
- Collection Number
- 2280 (Accession No. 2280-001)
- Summary
- Correspondence, speeches and writings, diaries and scrapbooks of a publisher, editor, and Washington State Legislator
- Repository
-
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Access restricted: For terms of access, contact Special Collections
Records stored offsite; advance notice required for use.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Joseph Dana Roberts (1907-1952) was a conservative, Democratic member of the Washington State Legislature during the 1930's. Representing the state's 35th district, which included the major portion of Seattle's downtown business district, he opposed all legislation which he considered restrictive to 'free enterprise'. He preferred 'regulation to prohibition ', introducing the Robert's Racing Law to legalize horse racing and actively working towards the repeal of the prohibition amendment . He was first elected a representative in 1933, and then again in 1934, 1935, and 1937. In 1938 he was elected to the State Senate. An attempt to recall him in 1939 failed and he continued in office until April , 1941, when he left to go on active duty at Fort Lewis, Wn . as a r eserve officer. He served as a puJblic relations officer throughout World War II; first at Fort Lewis and in Washington, D.C., then as a member of General Mark Clark's staff in England and Italy. He was an unsuccessful candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in 1946 and again in 1948. In September, 1946 he married Mary Markham, a member of the British nobility. The marriage lasted only a few weeks; they were divorced in August, 1947.
Joseph Roberts had a radio talk show, the Seattlight from 1930-1932. He was a Washington State legislator, 1933-1941; a public relations officer, United States Army, 1941-1945; and an unsuccessful candidate for the United States Congress, 1946 and 1948. He published "The Seattle Guide, 1937-1951; and "Seattlife" in 1937.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
His personal papers include correspondence (1924-1948), speeches and writings , clippings, memorabilia, diaries (1929-1940, 1946-1949), and scrapbooks (1922-1928, 1930-1941). The subject series ' Rome' and 'Fleet Week' represent Mr. Roberts' organization of these materials. They include correspondence, memorabilia and ephemera .
In addition there are 3 sub-groups which contain correspondence and related materials. The Seattle Guide (1937-1957) was a promotional brochure advertising places of amusement and recreation in Seattle. It was published and edited by Mr. Roberts and included a feature column written by him. The Seattlight (1930-1932) was a 'radio talk show' conducted by Mr. Roberts, and Seattlife (1937) was a monthly magazine which he edited and published.
A fourth sub-group, the Seattle Junior Chamber of Commerce, which Mr. Roberts helped organize in 1934, contains a copy of the by-laws for that organization.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Biographical informationReturn to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 1/1
Biographical information - Mary Markham RobertsReturn to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 1/2
Incoming lettersReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 1/3 | Meyers, Victor A. |
1942 |
| 1/4 | Roberts, Helen |
1942-1948 |
| 1/5 | Whitehead, A.J. |
1942-1948 |
| 1/6 | A-L, Miscellaneous |
|
| 1/7 |
M-Y, Miscellaneous |
|
McLaughlin, Frank |
1942 | |
| 1/8-1/10 | Unidentified |
1924-1942 |
Outgoing letters, 1936-1948Return to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 1/11
Financial recordsReturn to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 1/12
LegislationReturn to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 1/13
Legal documentsReturn to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 1/14
NotesReturn to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 1/15
ListsReturn to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 1/16
Speeches and writingsReturn to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 1/17
Speeches and writings of othersReturn to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 1/18
Clippings, PersonalReturn to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 1/19
Clippins, PoliticalReturn to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 1/20
Clippings, MiscellaneousReturn to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 1/21
Diaries, 1929-1940, 1946-1949Return to Top
Container(s): Box 2
Photographs - Roberts, Joseph DanaReturn to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 3/1-3/2
Photographs, MiscellaneousReturn to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 3/3
Press releasesReturn to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 3/4
InvitationsReturn to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 3/5
ProgramsReturn to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 3/6
DrawingsReturn to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 3/7
MemorabiliaReturn to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 3/8
NewspapersReturn to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 3/9
Publications and related materialsReturn to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 3/10
Publications of othersReturn to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 3/11
House plansReturn to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 3/12
PaintingsReturn to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 3/13
CertificatesReturn to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 3/14
MiscellaneousReturn to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 3/15
EphemeraReturn to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 3/16
Subject seriesReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description |
|---|---|
| Box/Folder | |
| 5/1 | Fleet Week |
| 5/2-5/3 | Rome |
The Seattle Guide, 1934-1957Return to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 5/4
Correspondence and related materials
Seattlife, 1937Return to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 5/5
Correspondence and related materials + Puget Sound Power and Light Co.
Seattlight, 1930-1932Return to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 5/6
Correspondence and related materials + Puget Sound Power and Light Co.
Chamber of Commerce, Seattle Jr., 1930-1932Return to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 5/7
Correspondence and related materials + Puget Sound Power and Light Co.
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
Personal Names
- Roberts, Joseph Dana--Archives
Corporate Names
- Democratic Party (Wash.)
- Seattle Chamber of Commerce
- Washington Commonwealth Federation
Other Creators
-
Personal Names
- Meyers, Victor A (creator)
- Whitehead, A. J (creator)
