Frances Cabaniss Roberts Collection
Dublin Core
Identifier
Frances Cabaniss Roberts Collection
Title
Frances Cabaniss Roberts Collection
Description
Dr. Frances Cabaniss Roberts was born December 19, 1916 in Gainesville, Alabama, a daughter of Richard H. and Mary (Watson) Roberts. She graduated from Livingston State College, earning her B.S. in 1937, and then the University of Alabama, earning her M.A. in 1940, then her PhD in 1956. Her 1940 M.A thesis was "An Experiment in Emancipation of Slaves by an Alabama Planter;" her 1956 PhD dissertation was "Background and Formative Period in the Great Bend and Madison County," 1956.
She began her professional career as a public school teacher first in Sumter County, Alabama and then in Huntsville, Alabama, 1937-1952. In Huntsville, Roberts taught history at Huntsville High School and then at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), where she was a vigorous participant in the formation of that University. (The Extension Center, then at West Huntsville High School, opened in January 1950.) From 1955 to 1956, she was the only full-time faculty member.
Dr. Roberts served in many roles at UAH: instructor 1953-1956; assistant professor, 1956-1959; associate professor, 1959-1961; professor of history beginning in 1961 until her retirement on August 31st, 1980. In 1988, Dr. Roberts was honored with the dedication of Roberts Recital Hall. The University System Trustees issued this statement concerning the special day: "Dr. Roberts was one of the founding faculty of the University of Alabama in Huntsville, established the University History Department, and was its first full-time history professor. She devoted 18 years to the public schools and 29 years of dedicated service to UAH and accepting only the highest scholarly standards and inspiring generations of students to expand their academic horizons."
The collection of Dr. Roberts’ papers reflects her total immersion in the education, social, religious, musical, and literary life of the community as she led by doing. Frances Cabaniss Roberts died November 5, 2000 at the age of 83, leaving a legacy of leadership and dedication to the community.
She began her professional career as a public school teacher first in Sumter County, Alabama and then in Huntsville, Alabama, 1937-1952. In Huntsville, Roberts taught history at Huntsville High School and then at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), where she was a vigorous participant in the formation of that University. (The Extension Center, then at West Huntsville High School, opened in January 1950.) From 1955 to 1956, she was the only full-time faculty member.
Dr. Roberts served in many roles at UAH: instructor 1953-1956; assistant professor, 1956-1959; associate professor, 1959-1961; professor of history beginning in 1961 until her retirement on August 31st, 1980. In 1988, Dr. Roberts was honored with the dedication of Roberts Recital Hall. The University System Trustees issued this statement concerning the special day: "Dr. Roberts was one of the founding faculty of the University of Alabama in Huntsville, established the University History Department, and was its first full-time history professor. She devoted 18 years to the public schools and 29 years of dedicated service to UAH and accepting only the highest scholarly standards and inspiring generations of students to expand their academic horizons."
The collection of Dr. Roberts’ papers reflects her total immersion in the education, social, religious, musical, and literary life of the community as she led by doing. Frances Cabaniss Roberts died November 5, 2000 at the age of 83, leaving a legacy of leadership and dedication to the community.
Collection Items
Collection Tree
- Local History Collections
- Frances Cabaniss Roberts Collection
- Series 01, Subseries A: Cabaniss Household Business
- Series 01, Subseries B: Cabaniss Professional Business
- Series 01, Subseries C: Cabaniss Personal Correspondence
- Series 02, Subseries A: Frances Roberts' Early Years and Teaching Career
- Series 02, Subseries B: M.A. Thesis Notes and Publications
- Series 02, Subseries C: Ph.D. Dissertation Notes and Copies
- Series 02, Subseries D: Publications and Speech Notes
- Series 02, Subseries E: Awards and Recognition
- Series 02, Subseries F: Unsorted miscellaneous papers relating to her house, UAH, taxes
- Series 02, Subseries G: Roberts Correspondence
- Series 02, Subseries H: Mementos, photos, and cards
- Series 03: Roberts Collection - UAH
- Series 04, Subseries A: Huntsville History
- Series 04, Subseries B: Madison County History
- Series 04, Subseries C: Alabama History
- Series 04, Subseries D: Committees and Organizations, State and Local
- Series 05, Subseries A: Roberts Correspondence
- Series 06: Pettus Family
- Series 08: Monroe Collection
- Series 09: Fearn, Donegan & Co. (F&D)
- Series 10: Books and Pamphlets
- Series 11: Archivist File of Additional Material
- Series 12: Framed Photographs and Awards
- Series 13: Addendum A
- Frances Cabaniss Roberts Collection