John Steele Roberson worked as the librarian and secretary to the Medical School, University of Melbourne. He wrote on medical matters and some of his work was published in the International Medical Magazine (Philadelphia).
Robertson was a Bulletin contributor and, at one time, sub-editor of Bohemia and Tribune. He also contributed to the Melbourne Punch, Once a Month, the Centennial Magazine, the Australasian Critic and the Illustrated Sydney News.
Robertson was working on (and contributing to) the Free-Lance at the time of Henry Lawson's (q.v.) July 1896 visit to Melbourne. Lawson visited the offices of the Free-Lance to see Robertson, but the latter was not there. Lawson left a note saying he was 'sailing this afternoon' and 'Robertson, receiving the note, went to the docks to talk with Lawson before he sailed. (Free-Lance 1.12 (9 July 1896): 14)
In addition to poetry and stories, Robertson also wrote 'two operettas, two pantomimes, and two musical comedies'. (Free-Lance 1.15 (30 July 1896): 3)