Description
Ruby Altizer Roberts poses for a photograph in 1999. Born in Floyd County in 1907, Roberts had a distinguished literary career, publishing two collections of poetry, three memoirs, a childrens book, and a genealogy. She was named Virginias first female poet laureate in 1950 and, until 1994, was the only woman to have held the post. In addition, Roberts edited the poetry journal The Lyric from 1952 until 1977. In 1961 she received an honorary doctor of humanities degree from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, and in 1992 the states General Assembly designated her Poet Laureate Emerita of Virginia.
