Cirrus@Austlit

Born in Leicestershire, William Swain Roberts was best known as the proprietor of the Maryborough Chronicle, which he bought on 2 April 1863 from Mr C. H. Buzacott: from that point, his obituary states, he 'was closely identified with every movement the furtherance of the welfare of the town and its neighbourhood' (p.2).

Ill health compelled him to resign from an actived role in the organisation in 1879, and he died unexpectedly in 1880, survived by his widow, Harriet Lally Illidge, and sixe of his eight children: his youngest child, born in August 1880, died in 1883.

He was the father of George Illidge Roberts, who succeeded him, although not immediately, as editor of the Chronicle.

Sources:

'Death of Mr. G. I. Roberts', Maryborough Chronicle, 13 October 1938, p.8.

'George Illidge Roberts', Geneanet [sighted 11/5/2021].

'[Obituary of Mr William Swain Roberts]', Maryborough Chronicle, 9 November 1880, p.2.