[1] Born into a family of artists in County Waterford, he was the eldest son and fourth child of architect John Roberts and his wife Mary Susannah Sautelle, who was of Huguenot descent.

[4] He lived in Temple Bar, above the public house that belonged to Mullins' wife, the Horseshoe and Magpie.

He was commissioned by Sir Watkin Williams Wynn in 1775 to paint a pair of pictures for this home on St. James's Square, London, which are still in place.

[3] Among Thomas Roberts' patrons were William FitzGerald, 2nd Duke of Leinster and Richard Wingfield, 3rd Viscount Powerscourt.

[4] The younger Roberts, an architect, finished some of his elder brother's paintings and became a successful artist in the early 19th century.