Extracts from 'Dressing in Borrowed Robes: Masquerading as African in the Nineteenth Century'

An essay on Ira Aldridge by Bernth Lindfors from ‘Signs & Signals: Popular Culture in Africa’ edited by Raoul Granqvis. Ira Aldridge was an African-American actor (1807-1867) who achieved great success internationally, winning many awards and honours. Billed as the "African Roscius," Aldridge played a range of Shakespearian roles including Othello, King Lear and Macbeth.