Paul Robeson, actor, singer

American (b. Princeton, New Jersey, 1898-1976)

Robeson left a pro football carer and law school studies to star in Eugene O'Neill's plays, All God's Chillun Got Wings (1924) and The Emperor Jones (1925). He enjoyed great success in Black Boy (date unknown) and Othello (1930) and is remembered for his version of "Ole Man River" from the London production of Show Boat (1928). An advocate of African-American rights, Robeson was honored with the Stalin Peace Prize (awarded 1952, accepted 1958).

Beth Bishop 1996