S. C. (Sydney Castle) Roberts

Sir Sydney Castle Roberts was a British author, publisher, and university administrator, born in Birkenhead on April 3, 1887, and educated at Brighton College and Pembroke College, Cambridge. He became a familiar figure in Cambridge literary life and built a reputation as an able publisher as well as a graceful writer on books and authors.

Much of his working life was tied to Cambridge University Press, where he served as Secretary from 1922 to 1948. He later became Master of Pembroke College and also served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge. Alongside that work, he wrote biographies, literary studies, and reflections on authors and publishing, including books connected with Samuel Johnson, Sherlock Holmes scholarship, and the history of Cambridge University Press.

Roberts was knighted in 1958. Readers coming to his work today will usually find a knowledgeable, companionable voice: scholarly, but never far from the pleasures of reading and literary conversation.