Kate Roberts (1891-1985) is unquestionably the most important woman writer to have emerged from Wales, but she remains little known outside the region. This volume tracks Roberts's life from her poverty-stricken childhood through her time as a teacher in the South Wales valleys and her novel-writing and later political work. It will serve as both an introduction to her work for readers who are unable to read it in the original Welsh, and as a valuable critical aid for Welsh students and pupils who encounter her work in courses and Welsh language and literature.