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Paul Robeson
Life Time
9 April 1898 - 23 January 1976
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Singer film and theater actor athlete advocate for the rights of blacks PaulRobson was born in Princeton (New Jersey) in the family of a priest and teacher. After graduating from high school Paul became the third black student in the history of Rutgers College (now the University). He is quickly becoming popular in college, both as one of the best students and as a brilliant footballer.
Paul Robson was the first black graduate student of Columbia Law School, which he graduated with honors in 1923.
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Singer film and theater actor athlete advocate for the rights of blacks PaulRobson was born in Princeton (New Jersey) in the family of a priest and teacher. After graduating from high school Paul became the third black student in the history of Rutgers College (now the University). He is quickly becoming popular in college, both as one of the best students and as a brilliant footballer.
Paul Robson was the first black graduate student of Columbia Law School, which he graduated with honors in 1923. Robson went to work in a law firm but he is attracted by a different career - theatrical. He becomes an actor.
World theatrical fame Robsonu brought the performance of the title role in Shakespeare's Othello - first in London in 1930, then (in 1943) on Broadway in New York.
Possessed of absolute hearing and unusually beautiful baritone bass PaulRobson loved to sing folk Negro songs and spirituals. In 1925, his first solo concert took place. The success was grand. He captivated listeners with sincerity of excitement of fullness of feelings and simplicity of performing manner.
The fame of the singer was followed by the fame of the film actor. In the 1930s and early 1940s. Robson starred in such famous films as "Emperor Jones", "Song of Freedom", "King Solomon's Mines", "Proud Valley" "Tales of Manhattan".
In 1931 Robson met in New York with director Sergei Eisenstein and at his invitation in 1934 he first came to the USSR. In 1936-37 Robson goes to Spain with concerts. This trip, he wrote, was a turning point in my life. I realized that the fight against fascism must be our main and most important cause.” Returning home Robson gives lectures on his trips to Spain and the USSR continues his concert activities differing journalistic propaganda character. His repertoire was extensive: he sang in 25 languages, successfully conveying the national flavor of each song.
The singer became one of the organizers of assistance to the USSR in its war with Nazi Germany called for the early opening of the second front. In 1943, for outstanding services in public activities Robsonu was awarded the Abraham Lincoln Medal in 1944 - the medal of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the medal of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
In 1949 Robson a staunch supporter of peaceful coexistence of the United States and the USSR again visited our country.
In 1950, at the height of McCarthyism, a commission investigating anti-American activities stripped Robson of the right to travel abroad on tour because "his activities in recent years showed that he was first a propagandist of communist ideas and then a singer." In the same year Robson was awarded the International Peace Prize for "Songs of Peace" was elected a member of the World Peace Council.
In 1953 he became a laureate of the International Stalin Prize for Strengthening Peace among Nations. 1958. The Moscow Conservatory awarded Robsonu the title of honorary professor. In 1960, Robson gave his last concerts in New Zealand and Australia. In 1963 he retired from public speaking.
On January 23, 1976, the great singer died.