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Paul Robeson was born April 9, 1898 in Princeton, New Jersy. He was the son of a former slave turned preacher, Paul attended Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J., where he was an All-America football player. After he graduated from Rutgers at the head of his class, he rejected a career as a professional athlete and instead entered Law School of at Columbia University. Paul obtained his law degree in 1923, but, because of the lack of opportunity for blacks in the legal profession, he drifted to the stage, making his London debut in 1922.

He joined the Provincetown Players, a New York theatre group that included playwright Eugene O'Neill, and appeared in O'Neill's play "All God's Chillun Got Wings" in 1924. His subsequent appearance in the title role of O'Neill's "The Emperor Jones" caused a sensation in New York and in London (1924/25). He also starred in the film version of the play in 1933. In addition to his other talents, Robeson had a superb singing voice. He gave his first vocal recital of African American spirituals in Greenwich Village in 1925 and 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 won high praise, as did the Broadway production in 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 became increasingly identified with strong left-wing commitments. In 1950 the U.S. State Department withdrew his passport because he refused to sign an affidavit disclaiming membership in the Communist Party. In the following years he was virtually 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 and travel in countries of the Soviet bloc, but he returned to the United States in 1963 because of ill health.

Robeson appeared in a number of films, including Sanders of the River (1935), Show Boat (1936), Song of Freedom (1936), and The Proud Valley (1940). His autobiography, Here I Stand, was published in 1958.

Paul Robeson died on January 23, 1976 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania.

Paul Robeson Chronology

1898 - April 9, born in Princeton, NJ to William Drew Robeson and Maria Louisa Bustill.

1915-1918 - Wins four-year scholarship to Rutgers University. Receives 15 varsity letter: football, basketball, baseball, track, Phi Beta Kappa, debating champion, valedictorian of his graduating class.

1919 - Enters Columbia Law School.

1921 - Marries Eslanda Cardozo Goode (1896-1965), the first Black analytical chemist at Columbia Medical Center.

1923 - Graduates from Columbia Law School. Has brief law practive.

1924 - Stars in O’Neill’s ‘Emperor Jones’ and ‘All God’s Chillun Got Wings.’ In Oscar Micheaux’s film ‘Body and Soul.’

1925 - Lawrence Brown and Robeson give their first concert on April 19 at the Greenwich Village Theatre.

1926 - Stars as prize fighter in the film ‘Black Boy.’1928 - Plays role of Joe in Jerome Kern’s ‘Showboat,’ London production.

1930 - Famous Savoy production of ‘Othello’ in London. Robesons appear together in film ‘Borderline.’

1932 - Receives Honorary Degree, Master of Arts, Rutgers University.

1933 - Appears in New York production of ‘Emperor Jones.

1934 - Stars in film "Sanders of the River.’ Travels to the Soviet Union.

1935 - Appears in film version of ‘Showboat’ made in Hollywood; Herbert Marshall’s play ‘Stevedore’ in London.

1936 - Has leading role in film ‘Song of Freedom,’ produced in London.

1937 - Visits Spain to support and entertain the Spanish Loyalist government. Sings for the international Brigade. Appears with Lawrence Brown in film ‘Jericho,’ produced in Egypt and London. Appears with Eslanda Robeson in film ‘Big Fella.’ Appears in film ‘King Solomon’s Mines,’ British production.

1938 - The Robesons travel to Spain. Robeson appears in play ‘Plant in the Sun’ for benefit of workers theatre, London.

1939 - Performs in world premiere of Earl Robinson’s ‘Ballad for Americans’ at CBS Radio Studios in New York City, Nov. 5. Appears in film ‘Proud Valley,’ British production. Awarded Badge of Veterans of Abraham Lincoln Brigade (Spanish Civil War).

1940-1943 - Many concert appearances.

1940 - Receives Honorary Degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, Hamilton College.

1943 - Receives Honorary Degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, Morehouse College, June 1.

1944 - Receives Donaldson Award, Best Acting Performance, ‘Othello.’ Awarded gold medal, American Academy of Arts & Sciences.

1945 - Presented with 30^th Spingarn Medal of the NAACP by Marshall Field. Gives concert tour for USO. Makes over 30 appearances in Germany, Czechoslovakia and France.

1946 - Performs ‘Ballad for Americans’ with CIO chorus, June 6. Awarded Honorary Degree, Howard University.

1947 - Famous concert at University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Announces he will no longer give concerts for entertainment; will perform benefits instead.

1949 - European concert tour, including Soviet Union. Attends Paris Peace Conference, makes statement ". . . It is unthinkable that American Negroes could go to war on behalf of those who have oppressed us for generations against the Soviet Union, which in one generation has raised our people to full human dignity." Gives concert at Peekskill, NY; violent mob attacks Robeson supporters.

1949-1950 - 85 concerts cancelled by music promoters attempting to silence Robeson.

1950 - Receives "Champion of African Freedom" award from National Church of Nigeria.

1950 - Passport revoked by State Department ". . .in view of his frank admission that he has been for years politically active in behalf of the colonial people of Africa." Edits monthly journal ‘Freedom.’ Receives Afro-American Newspapers Award.

1952 - Awarded Lenin Peace Price.

1955 - Speaks at meeting of the Council on African Affairs.

1956 - Subpoenaed by House Committee on Un-American Activities, June 12, "My father was a slave and my people died to build this country, and I am going to stay here and have a piece of it just like you. And no fascist minded people will drive me from it. Is that clear?" Paul Robeson.

1957 Concert ban lifted. Robeson performs first concert in seven years, Oakland, CA.

1958 - Passports returned under worldwide pressure and protest. Robesons leave for London. European concert tour, including the Soviet Union. Famous concert at Carnegie Hall, New York City. Book ‘Here I Stand’ published. Guest of Honor at Ersteddfod Cultural Festival, Wales.

1959 - Performs in ‘Othello at Stratford-on-Avon, England. Honorary Degree, Professor of Music, Moscow State Conservatory.

1960 - Last concert tour. Australia and New Zealand. Speaks on behalf of the Aborigine Civil Rights Movement. Awarded German Peace Medal, German Democratic Republic. Received Honorary Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Humboldt University, Berlin.

1961 - Retires from signing and acting due to illness.

1963 - Returns to U.S.

1965 - Appears at "Freedomways Salute to Paul Robeson," April 22, New York City. Eslanda Goode Robeson dies.

1969 - Celebrates Nigerian Independence with Nnamdi Azikiwe.

1970 - Receives Ira Aldridge Award from Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History; Civil Liberties Award from American Civil Liberties Union.

1972 - Dedication of the Paul Robeson Campus Center, Rutgers University. Receives Whiney M. Young, Jr. National Memorial Award from the New York Urban League. Elected to Theatre Hall of Fame.

1973 - Lawrence Brown Memorial Concert. Seventy-Fifth Birthday Celebration at Carnegie Hall, New York City, April 15. "Warmest thanks to the many friends here and throughout the world who have sent me greetings on my 75t^hbirthday. Though I have not been able to be active for several years, I want you to know that I am the same Paul, dedicated as ever to the worldwide cause of humanity for freedom, peace and brotherhood. Here at home my heart is with the continuing struggles of my own people to achieve complete liberation from the racist domination, and to gain for all Black Americans and the other minority groups not only equal rights but an equal share . . ."

1976 - Paul Robeson dies, January 23, Funeral services at A.M.E. Zion Church, New York City, January 27.

Sources:
Encyclopedia Britannica
Sanford L. Byrd