The major part of this collection is a first draft of Holland Roberts' memoirs centering on his time at the California Labor School. Most material is handwritten or typed with handwritten revisions. There are 28 folders representing material for approximately 23 chapters. The memoirs start with his career as an associate professor at Stanford and continue to the closing of the School. There are post-California Labor School chapter fragments on academic freedom and the HUAC hearing in San Francisco in 1960. A "Tentative Table of Contents" guided the organization of these folders.

Holland Roberts' higher education was at the University of Chicago where he received advanced degrees in English (1919) and Education (1925). During his early career, he taught English at various midwest colleges and in New York City at Columbia University. In 1934 he came to Stanford University as an assistant professor of education for English teachers and by 1939, he was an associate professor. Dr. Roberts professional affiliations included the National Council of Teachers of English; he served as president in 1937-38 and again in 1944. He was the author of textbooks, articles and research studies in the field of education. His extra-curricular interests and activities included a lifelong study of the USSR, AFT organizing at Stanford, campaigning for the freedom of Tom Mooney, and promoting a school for trade unionists and the new workers in WWII industries. These activities served to identify Holland Roberts as a left-wing radical and Stanford University responded by refusing to renew his contract in the Spring of 1944. As he was not tenured, the action served as dismissal without recourse.

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