Roberts joined the Star in 1909 as a sports reporter and switched to covering the Missouri Legislature in 1910. In 1915, Star founder William Rockhill Nelson assigned him to be the Washington correspondent. After Nelson's death, Roberts was among the employees who bought the Star. He became managing editor in 1928 and member of the board of directors.
Roberts and Truman did not always see eye to eye during this period. Roberts championed Kansan Dwight D. Eisenhower in the 1952 race.
In 1963, Roberts stepped down as managing editor of the Star and became chairman of the board. He officially retired in 1965. The paper won five Pulitzer Prizes during his tenure.
Roberts was profiled in a Time cover article on April 12, 1948.
Personal life
In 1953, Roberts married Florence G. Ross, the widow of Truman's Press Secretary Charles G. Ross.