John Roberts (1712/1714 – 23 May 1796) was an Anglo-Irish architect of the 18th century, working in the Georgian style. Born in the city of Waterford, he is best known for the buildings he designed in that city.[1]
Early life
Roberts was born in Waterford in 1712 or 1714, son of Thomas Roberts, an architect and builder. Little is known of his early life, although John Roberts may have trained in London for a time. At 17, he eloped with Mary Susannah Sautelle, a Huguenot heiress who also lived in Waterford.[2]
In 1785 he built a house in Waterford for William Morris, now the Harbour Commissioners’ headquarters and the Chamber of Commerce. In 1786 he designed Newtown House, later Newtown School, a Quaker school. In 1787 he designed The Leper Hospital and Church of St. Stephen. Roberts also built the Assembly Rooms on Waterford's Mall in 1788, which is now the Theatre Royal and City Hall.[3]
Roberts had between 21 and 24 children with his wife Susannah, of whom eight lived to adulthood, including the painters Thomas Roberts and Thomas Sautelle Roberts. They lived for many years in the old bishop's palace, opposite the cathedral, with a country residence at Roberts Mount.[7] He was nicknamed "Honest John" because he paid his workers so reliably, sometimes giving half their pay directly to their wives so that it would not be wasted on alcohol.[8]