PAUL ROBESON
Athlete, Singer, Actor, Activist
1898-1976
Born on this day in 1898, in Princeton, New Jersey, Paul Robeson was a world
famous scholar, athlete, actor, singer and civil rights activist. Entering
Rutgers University on an academic scholarship, Robeson excelled in athletics
and earned a combined 12 letters in track, football, baseball and basketball.
During his senior year, he earned All-American honors in football and
graduated with Phi Beta Kappa honors. In 1923, he received his law degree
from Columbia University, where he was discovered acting in a school play.
This ultimately led to his professional operatic debut in Taboo. Robeson went
on to star in All God's Chillun Got Wings, Emperor Jones, Show Boat, Porgy and
Bess and Othello, where his outstanding voice was well received. Traveling
the world, Robeson spoke several languages including Chinese, Russian, Gaelic
and Spanish. In 1945, he was awarded the NAACP's Spingarn Medal for his
outstanding achievements in the theater and on the concert stage. He was
often criticized for his political beliefs, and affiliation with
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Paul Robeson
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