Roberts, Owen Josephus

(May 2, 1875-May 17, 1955). First lay president of the House of Deputies, and associate justice of the United States Supreme Court. He was born in Philadelphia. Roberts received his B.A. in 1895 and his LL.B. in 1898, both from the University of Pennsylvania. He was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 1898. He was successively instructor, assistant professor, and professor of law at the University of Pennsylvania, 1898-1918. From 1918 until 1930, Roberts practiced law and served on a number of government boards and agencies. From 1930 until his retirement in 1945, he was an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. On Sept. 10, 1946, Roberts was elected the first lay president of the House of Deputies. He served until the 1949 General Convention. Roberts died in Philadelphia.