George Quinlan Roberts CBE was an Tasmanian born rower

Rowing (sport)

Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...

 who won events at Henley Royal Regatta

Henley Royal Regatta

Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held every year on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. The Royal Regatta is sometimes referred to as Henley Regatta, its original name pre-dating Royal patronage...

 in the 1880s.

Roberts was born in Tasmania

Tasmania

Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...

, the eldest son of George Valentine Roberts of Hobart

Hobart

Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...

 and his wife Elizabeth Benn Quinlan. His father was a member of the Board of Education. Roberts went to England where he entered Hertford College, Oxford

Hertford College, Oxford

Hertford College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. It is located in Catte Street, directly opposite the main entrance of the original Bodleian Library. As of 2006, the college had a financial endowment of £52m. There are 612 students , plus various visiting...

 in 1879 at the age of 19. At Oxford, he rowed for his college and was a member of the coxless four

Coxless four

A coxless four is a rowing boat used in the sport of competitive rowing. It is designed for four persons who propel the boat with sweep oars.The crew consists of four rowers, each having one oar. There are two rowers on the stroke side and two on the bow side...

 which won the Stewards' Challenge Cup

Stewards' Challenge Cup

The Stewards' Challenge Cup is a rowing event for men's coxless fours at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. It is open to male crews from all eligible rowing clubs. Two or more clubs may combine to make an entry....

 at Henley in 1881 and 1882. In 1883 he was a member of the winning Oxford

Oxford University Boat Club

The Oxford University Boat Club is the rowing club of the University of Oxford, England, located on the River Thames at Oxford. The club was founded in the early 19th century....

 crew in the Boat Race. With several of his Hertford friends, Roberts then rowed for Twickenham Rowing Club

Twickenham Rowing Club

Twickenham Rowing Club was founded on July 26, 1860 and is jointly the third oldest of the rowing clubs on the River Thames...

. In 1883 for Twickenham he partnered D E Brown

David Edward Brown

David Edward Brown was a British rower who won several events at Henley Royal Regatta in the 1880s.Brown was the son of David Brown of Llandaff Glamorgan. He matriculated at New College, Oxford in 1877 but migrated to Hertford College, Oxford. Brown was a successful rower at Oxford and was a...

 to win the Silver Goblets at Henley beating James Hastie

James Hastie

James Hastie was a British rower who won Silver Goblets at Henley Royal Regatta three times.Hastie was born at sea, and became a brewers agent in London. He was a member of Thames Rowing Club where he was a long standing captain. In 1877 Hastie with W Eyre won Silver Goblets at Henley Royal...

 and H B Tween in the final.
After Oxford, Roberts went into hospital administration. In 1892 he was appointed house-governor of London Hospital and over the years trained the rowing crews of the London Hospital. By 1910 he was secretary at St Thomas's Hospital and in 1920 published a brief history of St Thomas's Hospital. Roberts belonged to the Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers

Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers

The Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Pattenmakers, who were incorporated by Royal Charter in 1670, were makers of wooden-soled overshoes. Pattens were helpful in walking through the muddy streets of London. However, with the advent of...

 and was appointed master in 1926. He was also awarded the CBE

Order of the British Empire

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...

.

Roberts married at Kingston upon Thames

Kingston upon Thames

Kingston upon Thames is the principal settlement of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames in southwest London. It was the ancient market town where Saxon kings were crowned and is now a suburb situated south west of Charing Cross. It is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the...

in 1891.