J.M. Roberts (1928-2003) a studiat la Oxford. A predat la Merton College, Oxford, din 1953 pina in 1979. Din 1979 pina in 1985 a fost rector al Southampton University, iar din 1985 pina in 1994, director al Merton College. Din 1967 pina in 1976 a fost coeditor al The English Historical Review. A publicat Europe 1880-1945, The Mythology of the Secret Societies, The Paris Commune from the Right, The Age of Revolution and Improvement si The French Revolution.In 1985 BBC2 a difuzat seria de 13 documentare istorice intitulata The Triumph of the West, pentru care Roberts a fost scenarist si narator; in acelasi an el a publicat cartea omonima. A fost consilier istoric al serialului de succes People’s Century, produs de BBC. A mai publicat The Penguin History of Europe si The Penguin History of the Twentieth Century.