(AURN News) — On this day, April 9, 1898, trailblazer Paul Robeson was born in Princeton, New Jersey.
One of the most versatile figures in American history, Robeson was a celebrated singer, actor, scholar and athlete.
At Rutgers University, he became a valedictorian and All-American football player before attending Columbia Law School and briefly practicing law.
He soon turned to the arts, rising to global fame through powerful performances onstage and onscreen.
His international travels deepened his commitment to civil and human rights, but his outspoken views and ties to the Soviet Union made him a target during the McCarthyism era.
Banned and silenced, Robeson’s career suffered.
He died in 1976 at age 77, leaving a legacy of brilliance, resistance and global impact.
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