William Roberts was born in London. Attended St.Martin's School of Art. In 1910-13 with a London County Council scholarship studied at Slade School of Fine Art. After continental travel joined Roger Fry's Omega Workshops in 1913. Exhibited as member of Voticist Group, Group X and joined London Group in 1915. First one man show at Chenil Galleries in 1923, exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1952. Elected RA in 1966. Arts Council held a retrospective exhibition in 1965 at the Tate Gallery. Further retrospective at Reading Museum and Art Gallery in 1983.