Paul Robeson was born on April 9, 1898, in Princeton, New Jersey. When
Robeson was 17 he earned a scholarship to attend Rutgers University and was the
third African American to do so. He studied about performing arts and was one of
the universities best students. From 1920-1923, he taught Latin and played
professional football on the weekends at Columbia University’s Law School to pay
for tuition. Robeson was most known for starring in his two big productions The
Emperor Jones and Show Boat. He established a huge popular screen and singing
career. He did play football in his downtime but most of his attention was
focused on stage.
Paul Robeson spoke out against racism and was always involved in world
politics. He became an internationally beloved figure. He supported
Pan-Africanism, sang for Loyalist soldiers during Spain's civil war, took part
in anti-Nazi demonstrations and performed for Allied forces during WWII. He also
visited the Soviet Union several times during the mid-1930s, taken by much of
its culture and ideas.