The Clients: Isabel Roberts and Mary Roberts
Isabel Roberts (1871–1955) has been described by Wright scholars as Frank Lloyd Wright’s secretary, bookkeeper or office manager. While Isabel fulfilled these functions, she also took an active role in the lively and creative design atmosphere of the Studio. She produced original designs for the leaded glass windows in the Prairie houses and took part in the intramural design competitions that helped ripen the Prairie architecture described by Wright associate Barry Byrne.
As Wright’s son John Lloyd Wright says, “William Drummond, Francis Barry Byrne, Walter Burley Griffin, Albert McArthur (Albert Chase McArthur), Marion Mahony, Isabel Roberts and George Willis were the draftsmen. Five men, two women. They wore flowing ties, and smocks suitable to the realm. The men wore their hair like Papa, all except Albert, he didn’t have enough hair. They worshiped Papa! Papa liked them! I know that each one of them was then making valuable contributions to the pioneering of the modern American architecture for which my father gets the full glory, headaches and recognition today! ”
Mary Roberts (1836–1920) was born in Prince Edward Island. She married James H. Roberts in 1867. The family settled in South Bend, Indiana, where Mary lived until James' death in 1907. In South Bend they became friends with Laura C. B. DeRhodes; this friendship resulted in Laura building the K. C. DeRhodes House by Wright. Mary then moved to live with Isabel who was already working in the Oak Park Studio for Wright. The Isabel Roberts House was built for mother and daughter to share.
Isabel Roberts stated that she was the designer of this house, although since it came from Wright's studio it has always been attributed to him.
Read more about this topic: Isabel Roberts House
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