William Roberts

William Hayward Roberts (baptised 1734 – 1791) was an English born schoolmaster, poet and biblical critic, cleric and Provost of Eton College.

Life He was born in Gloucester, the third son of Richard Roberts of Abergavenny and his wife Eleanor.

In 1760 Roberts commenced M.A., and in 1771 he was appointed to a fellowship at Eton College. He was created D.D. at Cambridge in 1773, was presented to the rectory of Everdon, Northamptonshire, in 1778, and was inducted to the rectory of Farnham Royal, Buckinghamshire, on 3 June 1779.

Works Roberts in 1755 contributed English verses to the university collection, on the visit of the Duke of Newcastle, In 1758 he gained the members' prize at Cambridge on the subject, Utrum diversarum Gentium Mores et Instituta a diverso earum situ explicari possint? Cambridge, 1758.

He wrote also: The second son, John, known as a writer, and third son, Richard, were ordained. Other children (George, Henry, Rosamond, and Eleanor) are also taken to be from this marriage. She was sister of: Thomas Chamberlayne, a fellow of Eton College; Edward Chamberlayne, a Treasury official; and Ann Chamberlayne, who married Benjamin Kennicott. Also to George Chamberlayne, a Catholic convert.