author
Octavia Roberts
1875–1972
A journalist turned historical novelist, she wrote with a strong sense of place and a lasting interest in Illinois history. Her work ranges from fiction to lively accounts of Abraham Lincoln and the Marquis de Lafayette.
1 Audiobook
My Lady Valentine
by Octavia Roberts
About the author
Born in Springfield, Illinois, in 1875, she was later known as Octavia Roberts Corneau. Before publishing books, she worked as a reporter for the Illinois State Journal, and her writing kept close ties to local history and public memory.
Her best-known work today appears to be Lincoln in Illinois (1918), a short book centered on Lincoln's years in New Salem and Springfield. She also wrote fiction, including My Lady Valentine, and historical writing such as With Lafayette in America.
Available records describe a long life that stretched from 1875 to 1972. What stands out most is the blend in her work: part journalist's eye for detail, part storyteller's warmth, and a clear affection for Illinois and its past.