Maria M. Roberts was born June 29, 1867, in Dunlap, Iowa. She graduated from Iowa State College (University) in 1890. Following her graduation, Roberts was hired to teach mathematics at Iowa State and eventually attained the rank of Professor (1916-1942). She served as Vice Dean (1907-1921) and Dean (1921-1933) of the Junior College and also as Director (1933-1942) of Student Loans. This collection contains biographical information, a diary kept by Roberts during a trip to Europe, grade books, and notebooks.

Maria (pronounced "mah-rye-ah") M. "Minnie" Roberts was born June 29, 1867, in Dunlap, Iowa. She entered Iowa State as a student in 1887 and graduated in 1890. She was appointed Assistant (1891-1896) in the Department of Mathematics and was promoted to Instructor (1896-1902), Assistant Professor (1902-1904), Associate Professor (1904-1916), and Professor (1916-1942). Roberts was named Vice Dean (1907) of the Junior College and then promoted to Dean (1921-1933) of the Junior College. In 1933 she was named Dean Emeritus of the Junior College and Director of Student Loans. She remained in this position until her death in 1942. She was the co-author of Analytic Geometry (John Wiley & Sons, 1918).

Roberts attended every reunion of her class, and was a lifetime member of the Alumni Association. At the fiftieth anniversary of her graduation in June 1940, President Charles Friley conferred upon her the Doctor of Laws Degree. At the same time her portrait and a $5000 student loan fund were presented by her classmates, other alumni, and faculty members of the college in her honor. Roberts Hall dormitory was named for her in 1938.

Roberts died on April 12, 1942, in Ames, Iowa. Funeral services were held in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union and she was interred in the Iowa State Cemetery.

This collection (1894-1942, undated) contains biographical information, a diary kept by Roberts during a trip to Europe, grade books, and notebooks.