Murray Beresford Roberts

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Murray Beresford Roberts (10 August 1919 – 5 August 1974) was an Australian-New Zealand confidence trickster and thief.

Biography[]

Roberts was born in Wellington, New Zealand in 1919. When his parents lived in Double Bay, New South Wales he went to Newington College in Sydney[1] and later to Auckland Grammar School in New Zealand.[2]

After dropping out of the University of Otago medical school when caught cheating at an exam Roberts spent his life impersonating medics, military men, writers and academics.[3] When each charade fell through, he would move to a new town and new circle of targets. One of his employers was his Sydney alma mater, Newington College, until his lack of teaching credentials became apparent.[4]

Roberts' roles included Assistant medical director of the New Zealand Division (Army), a naval surgeon commander, governor general designate, professor of neuropsychiatry, manager of Barclays Bank, a major-general, atomic scientist, High Court judge, famous German industrialist, a well-known author, professor of Classics. Many seem to have been undertaken for the pleasure he obtained rather than financial gain.[2]

Roberts had a son from the first of his two marriages made in Australia. He died in Papakura New Zealand 5 August 1974. His autobiography was published posthumously.[2]

References[]

  1. ^ Newington College Register of Past Students 1863-1998 (Syd, 1999) pp 166
  2. ^ a b c Rogers, Frank. "Murray Beresford Roberts". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  3. ^ "GAOLED MAN SAID HE WAS IN SPY CASE". The Argus (Melbourne). Victoria, Australia. 7 July 1955. p. 9. Retrieved 12 April 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ Peter Swain, Newington Across the Years 1863-1998 (Syd, 1999)

External links[]

  • Bad, Graham Hutchins, Hodder-Moa, Auckland, 2010, pages 1947–1954, ISBN 978-1-86971-235-8



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