Robeson, Paul (1898–1976), African‐American singer, actor, and social activist.Born in Princeton, New Jersey, the son of a Presbyterian minister, Paul Robeson attended Rutgers University, distinguishing himself as a scholar, athlete, singer, and actor. He graduated from Columbia Law School in 1923 and briefly practiced law, but soon turned to the
theater. His roles in Eugene
O'Neill's
All God's Chillun Got Wings (1924) and
The Emperor Jones (1924 in New York, 1925 in London) catapulted him to international prominence as a serious actor at a time when stage opportunities for
African Americans were generally limited to racist stereotypes. Robeson's Shakespeare roles, particularly
Othello, were popular and critical successes. He appeared in several
films and won fame at home and in Europe for his vocal recitals featuring Negro
spirituals and show tunes such as
Old Man River.
Robeson understood the fight against
racism within the context of antifascism. Supporting the Loyalist forces during the Spanish Civil War, he became increasingly interested in
communism and the American Communist party from the mid‐1930s on, particularly as the party embraced antifascism and spoke to the plight of African Americans and on behalf of organized labor. Robeson's political leanings limited his opportunities to perform. During the
Cold War he became a target of Senator Joseph
McCarthy and the
House Committee on Un‐American Activities. From 1950 to 1958, the U.S. government revoked his passport. Plagued by ill health and mental disorders, Robeson spent several years in Europe, but eventually returned to America. Increasingly withdrawn and reclusive, he died in Harlem.
See also
Anticommunism;
Communist Party—USA;
Drama;
Harlem Renaissance;
Music: Traditional Music.
Bibliography
Paul Robeson , Here I Stand, 1958.
Martin Duberman , Paul Robeson 1988.
Jeffrey C. Stewart, ed., Paul Robeson: Artist and Citizen, 1998.
Theodore O. Mason Jr.