John was born to parents Joseph Varley Roberts 1799- 1881 and Elizabeth Hartley b. 1803. Joseph and Elizabeth were married on August 9, 1826 at St Peter's in Leeds. Their marriage produced the following children:

Sarah Ann Roberts 1822–1909
Esther Varley Roberts 1824–1885
Charlotte Elizabeth Roberts 1828–1903
Joseph Varley Roberts 1830–1882
James Varley Roberts 1834–1915
Frances Eliza Roberts 1836–1910
Charles Hartley Roberts 1838–1843
John Varley Roberts 1841–1920

When John was 17, he attended the Yorkshire Diocesan Training School for Masters in St Maurice. (now York St John University). This program directed him towards a teaching career. In John's 21st year he became organist at St Bartholomew’s Church, Armley; he also began teaching music.

John married Elizabeth Yates Jane Manning 1842-1917 on April 30, 1866 at Ilkey. Their union produced one child, Gertrude Elizabeth Varley Roberts 1867-1932.

John entered Oxford University in 1871 graduating with his Doctor of Music degree in 1876. John was organist first at Halifax and later at Magdalen College. He was also a composer of some note and choir director for Magdalen.

John wrote a number of compositions (some can be found on the video platform, YouTube). He also wrote and published the book: A Treatise on a Practical Method of Training Choristers. Oxford University Press, 1898 (now in the public domain).

John was born to parents Joseph Varley Roberts 1799- 1881 and Elizabeth Hartley b. 1803. Joseph and Elizabeth were married on August 9, 1826 at St Peter's in Leeds. Their marriage produced the following children:

Sarah Ann Roberts 1822–1909
Esther Varley Roberts 1824–1885
Charlotte Elizabeth Roberts 1828–1903
Joseph Varley Roberts 1830–1882
James Varley Roberts 1834–1915
Frances Eliza Roberts 1836–1910
Charles Hartley Roberts 1838–1843
John Varley Roberts 1841–1920

When John was 17, he attended the Yorkshire Diocesan Training School for Masters in St Maurice. (now York St John University). This program directed him towards a teaching career. In John's 21st year he became organist at St Bartholomew’s Church, Armley; he also began teaching music.

John married Elizabeth Yates Jane Manning 1842-1917 on April 30, 1866 at Ilkey. Their union produced one child, Gertrude Elizabeth Varley Roberts 1867-1932.

John entered Oxford University in 1871 graduating with his Doctor of Music degree in 1876. John was organist first at Halifax and later at Magdalen College. He was also a composer of some note and choir director for Magdalen.

John wrote a number of compositions (some can be found on the video platform, YouTube). He also wrote and published the book: A Treatise on a Practical Method of Training Choristers. Oxford University Press, 1898 (now in the public domain).