Frederick Madison Roberts

Frederick M. Roberts
Roberts in 1919
Member of the California State Assembly
In office
January 6, 1919 – January 7, 1935
Preceded byFrank H. Mouser
Succeeded byAugustus Hawkins
Constituency74th district (1919–1931)
62nd district (1931–1935)
Personal details
Born(1879-09-14)September 14, 1879
Chillicothe, Ohio, U.S.
DiedJuly 19, 1952(1952-07-19) (aged 72)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting placeEvergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Pearl Hinds
(m. 1921)
ChildrenGloria Roberts
Patricia Roberts
EducationUniversity of Southern California
Colorado College

Frederick Madison Roberts (September 14, 1879 – July 19, 1952) was an American newspaper owner and editor, educator and business owner; he became a politician, the first known man of African American descent elected to the California State Assembly. He served there for 16 years and became known as "dean of the assembly." He has been honored as the first person of African-American descent to be elected to public office among the states on the West Coast.

Roberts was a great-grandson of Sally Hemings of Monticello and President Thomas Jefferson.