Securing a scholarship to Rutgers University in 1915, Paul Robeson emerged as a singular talent, excelling as a consensus All-American athlete and an academic standout. His trajectory moved from the athletic fields of New Jersey to the stages of the Harlem Renaissance, eventually spanning international concert halls, film, and persistent political advocacy throughout the twentieth century.
Early Education and Athletics
Born in 1898 in Princeton, New Jersey, Robeson was the son of a minister who had escaped slavery. At Somerville High School, he participated in theatre and multiple sports. Upon entering Rutgers as the only African-American student, he endured significant physical hostility from teammates before proving his capabilities. He earned four varsity letters and twice received first-team All-American recognition as an end. Walter Camp characterized him as the premier end in the sport's history, and his peers elected him class valedictorian.
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Robeson pursued an LL.B. at Columbia Law School while simultaneously maintaining a professional career in the National Football League. Following his legal studies, he joined the Harlem Renaissance. His transition to the performing arts included roles in Eugene O'Neill's The Emperor Jones and All God's Chillun Got Wings. His work soon took him abroad; he appeared in the 1922 touring melodrama Voodoo and achieved success in the 1928 London premiere of Show Boat.
Political Engagement and Later Life
Robeson’s political involvement grew through his exposure to labor movements and anti-imperialist groups in Britain and his support for the Republican cause in the Spanish Civil War. During the mid-twentieth century, he became a vocal supporter of the Soviet Union, which prompted investigations by the FBI during the McCarthy era. The United States government withdrew his passport, though it was eventually restored following the 1958 Supreme Court ruling in Kent v. Dulles. Between 1925 and 1961, he released approximately 270 recordings, spanning diverse genres including spirituals and political anthems.
Fast facts
- Born: 1898, Princeton, United States
- Died: 1976, Philadelphia
- Educated: Rutgers University, Columbia Law School, SOAS University of London
- Notable Awards: Spingarn Medal (1945), International Stalin Prize for Peace
- Languages: English, Russian, Chinese, Arabic
- Member of: Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha Phi Alpha
- Resting Place: Ferncliff Cemetery
- Professional Career: Actor, lawyer, singer, and professional football player
Questions readers ask
What was the significance of the 1958 Supreme Court case involving Robeson?
The case Kent v. Dulles resulted in the restoration of his right to travel after his passport had been withdrawn by the U.S. State Department.
How many songs did Paul Robeson record during his career?
Between 1925 and 1961, he released recordings of approximately 270 songs, beginning with the spiritual 'Steal Away'.
