Nicholas Franklin Roberts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nicholas Franklin Roberts
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Roberts from a 1902 publication
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| Born | October 13, 1849 Seaboard, North Carolina, U.S.
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| Died | June 25, 1934 (aged 84) Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Shaw University |
| Occupation | teacher, mathematician, minister, journalist |
| Political party | Republican |
| Religion | Baptist |
Nicholas Franklin Roberts (October 13, 1849 - June 25, 1934) was an important Baptist minister and teacher. He lived in Raleigh, North Carolina. He worked at Shaw University as a professor and even as acting president for a short time. Roberts also helped lead the city of Raleigh as an alderman. He served on the county's education board too.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Nicholas Franklin Roberts was born on October 13, 1849. His birthplace was Seaboard, Northhampton County, North Carolina. As a child, he worked on a farm. He was very good at mathematics from a young age.
He started studying at Shaw University on October 10, 1871. At that time, it was called Shaw Collegiate Institute. He finished his studies in May 1878. After graduating, he was hired as a professor of Mathematics at Shaw University.
Roberts was also active in politics. He supported the Republican Party. Even as a student, he was the secretary for a Republican county meeting in July 1872. He helped edit a journal called African Expositor. This journal started in 1878. Later, he was the business manager for another publication, the Baptist Sentinel.
Leading the Baptist Church
In March 1872, Nicholas Roberts became a Baptist. He was made a minister on May 20, 1877. On July 2, 1882, he became the pastor of Blount Street Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina.
From 1873 to 1883, he was the president of the State Sunday School convention. He held this important position many times. He was also elected president of the State Baptist Convention several times. His first time was in October 1885. In 1881, the American Baptist Home Mission Society made him a general missionary. He worked to help poor people in North Carolina. He stopped being the pastor of Blount Street Baptist Church in August 1891. This allowed him to focus on his other important activities.
Public Service and Community Work
Nicholas Roberts was very involved in many groups. These included political, educational, and religious organizations. He often served as an officer in these groups. In 1877, he was the vice president of the state Colored Education Convention.
In 1886, he became an alderman in Raleigh. An alderman is a member of the city council who helps make decisions for the city. He also served on the street committee. In 1897, he was elected to the county school board. This board helps manage schools in the county. In the early 1900s, he also led the Institute for Colored Teachers. This institute helped train teachers.
In late 1897 and early 1898, Roberts hosted a special visitor. This was Alfred Impey, a grandson of Chief Kama from South Africa. Alfred came to study at Shaw University. Sadly, Alfred became ill and passed away in North Carolina in April 1898.
Roberts also took on a big role at Shaw University. After President Henry Martin Tupper passed away in November 1893, Roberts became the acting head of the university. He served in this role for five months, until March 1894. Later, he held other important jobs at the university. These included vice-president, dean of faculty, and dean of the theology department.
Personal Life
Nicholas Franklin Roberts married Mary S. Chavis in 1904. She was from Union, North Carolina. He passed away on June 25, 1934.
