1861-1941
Kate Roberts was editor of Hoyt’s New Cyclopedia of Practical Quotations. She got the job through JK Hoyt editor of the Newark Daily Advertiser who was a family friend. Kate’s first publication was in 1922.
Kate also worked in the Newark Public Library reference section under Frank Hill and John Cotton Dana for 15 years, mentioned as a particular assistant to Dana in Made in Newark. Dana made her chief of club activities. She was a member of the Contemporary Club. Cummings says she was popular as a “walking encyclopedia”.
Kate wrote several other items such as The Club Woman’s Handybook of Programs and Club Management. She was a contributor to the editorial pages of the Newark newspapers and a column she wrote for the New York Times defending Dana can be read online with a subscription. One article purported, “Only Whos Who in Newark Defends Flappers: Miss Kate Louise Roberts…Says Use of Lipstick, Rouge, Powder is No Ones Business But Owner of Face”.
Kate moved to Newark (according to Cummings) as a child or was born in Newark (Shales). Her parents were English immigrants. She graduated Newark Normal School. Kate is shown on censuses in Newark from at least 1870. She lived at 473 Mount Prospect Ave from at least 1900.
Kate died in Los Angeles County in 1941. She was related to the famous Chippendale family.
Bibliography
Cummings, Charles F. From writers to singers these women enriched the city Star Ledger Jun 13, 2002
Census records
R-24 Roberts, Kate L., Newark News Morgue, Newark Library (46 articles)
“Early Duarte Days Told” Pasadena Post May 13, 1941
Shales, Ezra Made In Newark
Some Prominent Newark Suffragists and Other Leaders Newark Star
You can also read several items in the Newark News file (click below to download):