Paul Robeson In the Song of Freedom

The son of a former slave, Robeson attended Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J., where he was an All-American football player. Upon graduating from Rutgers at the head of his class, he rejected a career as a professional athlete and instead entered Columbia University. He obtained a law degree in 1923, but due to discrimination in the legal profession, he drifted to the stage where he became a celebrated actor. Amongst his many talents, Robeson had a superb bass-baritone singing voice. He became world famous as Joe in the musical play Show Boat with his version of “Ol’ Man River.” His characterization of the title role in Othello in London (1930) won high praise, as did the Broadway production (1943), which set an all-time record run for a Shakespearean play on Broadway.

Increasing political awareness impelled Robeson to visit the Soviet Union in 1934, and from that year he identified with strong left-wing commitments. In 1950, the U.S. State Department withdrew his passport because he refused to disclaim membership in the Communist Party. Robeson was ostracized for his political views, although in 1958 the Supreme Court overturned the affidavit ruling. Robeson then left the United States to live in Europe, but returned to the United States in 1963 due to poor health.