William Goodridge Roberts was born in 1904 in Barbados while his Canadian parents were on vacation. As a child he moved frequently to England, France, and eventually Fredriction, New Brunswick in 1912. Studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Montreal, in 1923, and the Art Studies League in New York, under Max Weber and Joahn Sloan (1927-29). He taught at Queen's University, Kingstorn, Ontario 1933-36 before moving on to Montreal to paint.

In the 1930's, Roberts belonged to a Montreal-based group of painters called The Contemporary Arts Society, which was formed partially because their members disagreed with the beliefs of The Group of Seven.

In 1943, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and was appointed war artist in Europe. In 1944 he returned to Canada with 116 drawings and watercolours for War Records. In 1967, his work was exhibited at the Canadian Pavilion at Expo 67 and at the Centennial Ehibition of the National Gallery of Canada.

Many art historians still lament the fact to this day that Roberts is, and was, unfairly overshadowed by the lose fame of the Group of Seven in public appreciation. His deep, unshakable devotion to his art is profoundly moving and deserving of much greater attention.

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