The Thoreau Institute at Walden Woods Library

The Roland Wells Robbins Collection in the Thoreau Society Collections

Roland Wells Robbins (1908-1987)

A Chronology of the Life of Roland Wells Robbins

Compiled by Donald W. Linebaugh,
University of Maryland, School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation
 

• 1908                       born March 21 in Worcester

• 1924                       drops out of high school

• 1929                       loses job due to the Depression

•                                 mother, Lucy May Robbins, dies

• 1931                       father, Fred Flint Robbins, dies

• 1932                       moves to Vermont

•                                 begins writing poetry

• 1934                       marries Geraldine Prior in August

•                                 returns to Massachusetts

• 1936                       move into new house

• 1937                       son Richard (Dick) born

• 1938                       publishes Thru the Covered Bridge

• 1939                       daughter Jean born

• 1943                       begins research on the Minute Man statue

• 1944                       daughter Bonita born

• 1945                       publishes The Story of the Minute Man

•                                 begins excavations at Walden Pond

• 1946                       delivers first lecture, Thoreau Society

• 1947                       publishes Discovery at Walden

• 1948                       begins excavations at Saugus Iron Works

• 1953                       resigns from Saugus Iron Works

• 1954                       excavations at Shadwell

• 1956                       begins excavations at Philipsburg Manor

• 1959                       publishes Hidden American with Evan Jones

• 1960                       excavations at John Alden House

• 1962                       leaves Philipsburg Manor

• 1965                       elected president of the Thoreau Society

• 1965                       excavations at Hancock-Clarke House

• 1967                       excavations at Puddle Dock, Strawbery Banke;    
                                  excavations at Oliver Mill

• 1969                       publishes Pilgrim John Alden's Progress:
                                  Archaeological Excavations in Duxbury

• 1976                       Lecturer-in-Residence, Juniata State College

• 1977                       Dublin Seminar lecture

• 1984                       excavations at Munroe Tavern

• 1987                       dies in Lincoln, February 8

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