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James Roebuck diplomas and memorabilia

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 16937

Content Description

This collection contains the University of Virginia diplomas and memorabilia of James Randolph Roebuck, Jr. (1945-2024), politician and UVA alumnus. The collection contains Roebuck’s two University of Virginia diplomas, a printed copy of a 2019 article commemorating fifty years since his History in 1969 and a Doctor of Philosophy in History in 1977. In 1969, while a student at the University of Virginia, Roebuck became the first Black member of the Student Council. Following his matriculation from the University of Virginia, Roebuck worked as an assistant professor of history at Drexel University. In 1985, Roebuck was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 188th district. He was subsequently reelected 17 times, serving until 2020. In the House, Roebuck served as the Democratic chairman of the House Education Committee and as a member of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus. He died on May 16, 2024.

Dates

  • Creation: 1969-2019

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Full Extent

0.16 Cubic Feet (One large oversized flat file folder; one letter sized file folder)

Language of Materials

English

Metadata Rights Declarations

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was a gift from Gideon Adegbile to the Small Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia Library on 18 November 2025.

Title
James Roebuck diplomas and memorabilia
Status
Completed
Author
Ellen Welch
Date
2026-01-23
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library Repository

Contact:
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
P.O. Box 400110
University of Virginia
Charlottesville Virginia 22904-4110 United States