Owen Roberts (educator)

Sir Owen Roberts (7 April 1835 – 6 January 1915) was a Welsh educationalist, who helped to pioneer technical education in London.

Roberts was born in Carnarvonshire in 1835 and educated at Jesus College, Oxford before being called to the bar in 1863.

He was appointed Clerk to the Clothworkers' Company in 1866, holding the office for over 40 years and becoming Master in 1909. He was knighted in 1888 in recognition of the services he had rendered in the cause of technical education. He helped encourage the Yorkshire College at Leeds and University College, Bristol. He was active in setting up the City and Guilds of London Institute and Somerville College, Oxford. He was chairman of the London Polytechnic Council and a member of the governing body of Imperial College. He served as vice-president, chairman of the council and treasurer of the Royal Society of Arts. Jesus College elected him to an honorary fellowship in 1905. He was also Lord Lieutenant of London and, in 1907, High Sheriff of Caernarvonshire.

He died on 6 January 1915 at his home, Henley Park, near Guildford.