Background
Roberts was born in Rhosllannerchrugog to John and Margaret Roberts.
Roberts was born in Rhosllannerchrugog to John and Margaret Roberts.
He showed musical talent since his childhood, winning several prizes at Welsh festivals (eisteddfodau) in which he participated. He took the degrees of Bachelor of Music (1906) and Doctorate.Mus. (1911), both at Oxford.
Roberts was one of the editors of Y Caniedydd Cynulleidfaol Newydd (1921), the hymnal of the Welsh Independent Church, as well as Caniedydd Newydd yr Ysgol Sul (1930), the Sunday School hymnal of that same church.
Roberts was a prolific composer and arranger of hymn tunes, several of which were incorporated into Welsh hymnaries. Among the most well-known are Rachie and In Memoriam, a tribute to Welsh composer Harry Evans.
He died in Wrexham, Denbighshire on 3 March 1935, and is buried in Rhosllannerchrugog cemetery.