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'''Paul LeRoy Bustill Robeson''' (April 9, 1898–January 23, 1976) was an American [[actor]] of film and stage, All-American and professional [[athlete]], [[writer]], multi-lingual [[orator]], [[lawyer]], and ''basso profondo'' concert singer who was also noted for his wide-ranging support of socialism, Communist countries and anti-imperialism. A forerunner of the [[civil rights]] movement, Robeson was a trades union [[activist]], [[peace activist]], [[Phi Beta Kappa Society]] laureate, and a recipient of the [[Spingarn Medal]] and [[Stalin Peace Prize]]. His outspoken beliefs and friendships with Communist countries lead to his passport being revoked from 1950 to 1958 under the [[McCarran Act]] and he was under surveillance by the U.S. [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] and [[Central Intelligence Agency]] and by British [[MI5]] for well over three decades until his death in 1976.

'''Paul LeRoy Bustill Robeson''' (April 9, 1898–January 23, 1976) was an American [[actor]] of film and stage, All-American and professional [[athlete]], [[writer]], multi-lingual [[orator]], [[lawyer]], and ''basso profondo'' concert singer who was also noted for his wide-ranging support of socialism, Communist countries and anti-imperialism. A forerunner of the [[civil rights]] movement, Robeson was a trades union [[activist]], peace activist, [[Phi Beta Kappa Society]] laureate, and a recipient of the Spingarn Medal and [[Stalin Peace Prize]]. His outspoken beliefs and friendships with Communist countries lead to his passport being revoked from 1950 to 1958 under the [[McCarran Act]] and he was under surveillance by the U.S. [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] and [[Central Intelligence Agency]] and by British [[MI5]] for well over three decades until his death in 1976. On October 7, 1946, Robeson testified before the Fact-Finding Committee on Un-American Activities in California (Tenney Committee) that he was not a Communist Party member. Contrary to popular belief he has not to this day, ever been identified as a card carrying or official member of any Communist organization despite his unwavering support.<ref name=Duberman241>Duberman, Martin. ''Paul Robeson'', 1989, pg 307. </ref>

==Career in entertainment before support of Marxism==

==Career pre-Cold War==

In the 1920s, Robeson found fame as an actor and singing star of both stage and radio with his [[Bass (vocal range)|bass]] voice and commanding presence. He was one of the few true basses in American music, with his beautiful and powerful voice descending as low as C below the bass clef. In addition to his stage performances, his renditions of old spirituals were acclaimed for there beauty in singing and Christian lyricism. Robeson and his accompanist and arranger Lawrence Brown were the first to bring them to the concert stage. Paul Robeson also recorded over a hundred songs, making him first black actor to attempt to play roles which had dignity and stressed African pride.

After graduating with top academic and athletic honors from Rutgers University in 1919, Robeson attended and graduated from Columbia Law school. Racism at the time limited his options in the field of law so he drifted into entertainment.

In the 1920s, Robeson found fame as an actor and singing star of both stage and radio with his Bass voice and commanding presence. He was one of the few true basses in American music, with his beautiful and powerful voice descending as low as C below the bass clef. In addition to his stage performances, his renditions of old spirituals were acclaimed for there beauty in singing and Christian lyricism. Robeson and his accompanist and arranger Lawrence Brown were the first to bring them to the concert stage. Paul Robeson also recorded over a hundred songs, making him first black actor to attempt to play roles which had dignity and stressed African pride.

His first roles were in 1922 playing Simon in ''Simon the Cyrenian'' at the Harlem YMCA and Jim in ''Taboo'' at the Sam Harris Theater in Harlem. ''Taboo'' was later re-named ''Vodoo''<!--"Voodoo"?-->. He was acclaimed for his 1924 performance in the title role of Eugene O'Neill's ''The Emperor Jones'' in 1920.  

His first roles were in 1922 playing Simon in ''Simon the Cyrenian'' at the Harlem YMCA and Jim in ''Taboo'' at the Sam Harris Theater in Harlem. ''Taboo'' was later re-named ''Vodoo''<!--"Voodoo"?-->. He was acclaimed for his 1924 performance in the title role of Eugene O'Neill's ''The Emperor Jones'' in 1920.

===''Othello'' and ''Showboat''===

===''Othello'' and ''Showboat''===

In 1930 Robeson starred in the title role in [[William Shakespeare]]'s ''[[Othello]]'' in [[England]], when no U.S. company would employ him for the part. Peggy Ashcroft co-starred as Desdemona. He would reprise the role in New York in 1943, and tour the U.S. with it until 1945. His Broadway run of ''Othello'' is still, as of 2009, the longest of any Shakespeare play. He won the Spingarn Medal in 1945 for his portrayal of Othello. For the [[Broadway]] production [[Uta Hagen]] played Desdemona, and José Ferrer played Iago. Robeson's final portrayal of Othello in 1959 at [[The Royal Shakespeare Company]] in [[Stratford-upon-Avon]] was directed by [[Tony Richardson]] and also proved to be his theatrical [[swan song]].

In 1930 Robeson starred in the title role in [[William Shakespeare]]'s ''[[Othello]]'' in [[England]], when no U.S. company would employ him for the part. Peggy Ashcroft co-starred as Desdemona. He would reprise the role in New York in 1943, and tour the U.S. with it until 1945. His Broadway run of ''Othello'' is still, as of 2009, the longest of any Shakespeare play. He won the Spingarn Medal in 1945 for his portrayal of Othello. For the [[Broadway]] production Uta Hagen layed Desdemona, and José Ferrer played Iago. Robeson's final portrayal of Othello in 1959 at The Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon was directed by Tony Richardson and also proved to be his theatrical swan song.

Robeson also played the role of Joe, which was written for him, in the 1928 London production of ''[[Show Boat]]'', and repeated his performance in the 1932 Broadway revival of the show, the 1936 film version, and a 1940 [[Los Angeles]] stage production. His rendition of "[[Ol' Man River]]" is widely considered the definitive version of the song with Robeson making alterations to the lyrics to transform it from a song of black lament to one of defiance and perseverance.<ref>Robeson, Susan. ''A Pictorial Biography of Paul Robeson: The Whole World in His Hands'', 1981, pg 37</ref>

Robeson also played the role of Joe, which was written for him, in the 1928 London production of ''[[Show Boat]]'', and repeated his performance in the 1932 Broadway revival of the show, the 1936 film version, and a 1940 [[Los Angeles]] stage production. His rendition of "[[Ol' Man River]]" is widely considered the definitive version of the song with Robeson making alterations to the lyrics to transform it from a song of black lament to one of defiance and perseverance.<ref>Robeson, Susan. ''A Pictorial Biography of Paul Robeson: The Whole World in His Hands'', 1981, pg 37</ref>

===Hollywood and international film career===

===Hollywood and international film career===

Robeson's earliest surviving film is 1924's ''Body and Soul'' a silent film directed by Oscar Micheaux in which Robeson played a preacher with a split personality.  

Robeson's earliest surviving film is 1924's ''Body and Soul'' a silent film directed by Oscar Micheaux in which Robeson played a preacher with a split personality.

At the height of his popularity in the 1930s, Robeson became a major box office attraction in British films such as ''[[Song of Freedom (movie)|Song of Freedom]]'' and ''[[The Proud Valley]]''. Briefly returning to the US he reprised his title role in [[Dudley Murphy]]'s film version of [[Eugene O'Neill]]'s ''[[The Emperor Jones]]'' in 1933.  

At the height of his popularity in the 1930s, Robeson became a major box office attraction in British films such as ''Song of Freedom'' and ''The Proud Valley''about Wales. Briefly returning to the US he reprised his title role in Dudley Murphy's film version of Eugene O'Neill's ''The Emperor Jones'' in 1933.

The 1936 [[Universal Pictures]] film ''Show Boat'' was a box office hit for Robeson, and the most frequently shown and highly acclaimed of all his films. His performance of "Ol' Man River" for this film was particularly notable. He was also King Umbopa in the 1937 version of ''King Solomon's Mines''.  

The 1936 [[Universal Pictures]] film ''Show Boat'' was a box office hit for Robeson, and the most frequently shown and highly acclaimed of all his films. His performance of "Ol' Man River" for this film was particularly notable. He was also King Umbopa in the 1937 version of ''King Solomon's Mines''.

===Ballad for Americans===

===Ballad for Americans===

After a return from Europe in 1939, Robeson quickly became the voice of the nation when he performed ''Music of the United States|American' patriotic [[cantata]] with lyrics by [[John La Touche (musician)|John La Touche]] and music by [[Earl Robinson]]. Originally titled ''The Ballad for [[Uncle Sam]]'', it was written for a [[Works Progress Administration]] theatre project called ''[[Sing for Your Supper]]''.<ref>Online notes from 2005 [http://www.lafayette.edu/webdata/robeson/audio.html Paul Robeson Conference] at Lafayette College. Accessed 31 January 2006. </ref> Robeson performed "Ballad" on the [[CBS]] radio network in 1943, accompanied by chorus and orchestra. [[Bing Crosby]] would also record a commercially successful recording of the piece but the song is almost always associated with Robeson as it represents the pinnacle of his music and radio career prior to the [[Cold War]]<ref name=Duberman241>Duberman, Martin. ''Paul Robeson'', 1989, pg 241. </ref>He would perform it at [[The Hollywood Bowl]] to the largest sold-out crowd in its history.<ref name=Duberman241 />

After a return from Europe in 1939, Robeson quickly became the voice of the nation when he performed ''Music of the United States|American' patriotic [[cantata]] with lyrics by John La Touche and music by Earl Robinson. Originally titled ''The Ballad for [[Uncle Sam]]'', it was written for a [[Works Progress Administration]] theatre project called ''[[Sing for Your Supper]]''.<ref>Online notes from 2005 [http://www.lafayette.edu/webdata/robeson/audio.html Paul Robeson Conference] at Lafayette College. Accessed 31 January 2006. </ref> Robeson performed "Ballad" on the [[CBS]] radio network in 1943, accompanied by chorus and orchestra. [[Bing Crosby]] would also record a commercially successful recording of the piece but the song is almost always associated with Robeson as it represents the pinnacle of his music and radio career prior to the [[Cold War]]<ref name=Duberman241>Duberman, Martin. ''Paul Robeson'', 1989, pg 241. </ref>He would perform it at [[The Hollywood Bowl]] to the largest sold-out crowd in its history.<ref name=Duberman241 />

 

 

===Communist Party membership rumors===

===Communist Party membership rumors===

Robeson's political statements and activism, including sympathies expressed towards the Soviet Union, Lenin, [[Mao Zedong]], [[Josip Broz Tito]] and Joseph Stalin were the subject of great controversy in the mass media, in particular rumors (never substantially proven to this day) of membership in the [[Communist Party USA|American Communist Party]]. There is no clear evidence that Robeson ever was a member of the Communist Party.

Robeson's political statements and activism, including sympathies expressed towards the Soviet Union, [[Lenin]], [[Mao Zedong]], [[Josip Broz Tito]] and [[Joseph Stalin]] were the subject of great controversy in the mass media, in particular rumors (never substantially proven to this day) of membership in the [[Communist Party USA|American Communist Party]]. There is no clear evidence that Robeson ever was a member of the Communist Party.

According to records released under the [[Freedom of Information]] Act, the FBI believed that Robeson might have joined the Party under the name "John Thomas" but "his Communist Party membership book number is not known." Robeson's biographer, Martin Duberman, concludes that "he was never a member of CPUSA, never a functionary, never a participant in its daily bureaucratic operations."<ref name=dubermanpages/> Paul Robeson, Jr. has also stated on numerous times that his father was never a member of the CPUSA.

According to records released under the [[Freedom of Information]] Act, the FBI believed that Robeson might have joined the Party under the name "John Thomas" but "his Communist Party membership book number is not known." Robeson's biographer, Martin Duberman, concludes that "he was never a member of CPUSA, never a functionary, never a participant in its daily bureaucratic operations."<ref name=dubermanpages/> Paul Robeson, Jr. has also stated on numerous times that his father was never a member of the CPUSA.

One of the most vocal contemporary conservative voices to challenge Robeson's legacy for his friendship with the CPUSA is [[David Horowitz]] the founder of David Horowitz Freedom Center. David Horowitz mentioned in his 2006 book'' [[The Professors: The 101 Most Dangerous Academics in America]]'' the distinguished historian [[Eric Foner]] lauding Robeson at a 2003 teach-in at [[Columbia University]] and then responded by saying,:"It's true that Paul Robeson was never satisfied with his country. He was an icon (and member) of the American Communist Party, who received a Stalin Peace Prize from the dictator himself."<ref>Horowitz, David, "Moment of Truth (for the anti-American Left)", ''Jewish World Review'', March 31, 2003''</ref>

One of the most vocal contemporary conservative voices to challenge Robeson's legacy for his friendship with the CPUSA is [[David Horowitz]] the founder of David Horowitz Freedom Center. David Horowitz mentioned in his 2006 book'' [[The Professors: The 101 Most Dangerous Academics in America]]'' the distinguished historian [[Eric Foner]] lauding Robeson at a 2003 teach-in at [[Columbia University]] and then responded by saying,:"It's true that Paul Robeson was never satisfied with his country. He was an icon (and member) of the American Communist Party, who received a Stalin Peace Prize from the dictator himself."<ref>Horowitz, David, "Moment of Truth (for the anti-American Left)", ''Jewish World Review'', March 31, 2003''</ref>

Despite Horowitz's credible and in-depth knowledge of the Communist Party (his parents were both members and he was made attend events as  growing up), Robeson is not on record anywhere as ever being a Communist Party member nor did he ever meet Stalin in person. The Stalin Peace Prize was awarded to Robeson at the Soviet Embassy in Washington, D.C. by embassy officials. Had Robeson been a CP member he would most likely have been jailed under the [[Smith Act]], the FBI surveillance on his life being virtually non-stop during the late 1940s and 1950s.

Despite Horowitz's credible and in-depth knowledge of the Communist Party (his parents were both members and he attended events while growing up), Robeson is not on record anywhere as ever being a Communist Party member nor did he ever meet Stalin in person. The Stalin Peace Prize was awarded to Robeson at the Soviet Embassy in Washington, D.C. by embassy officials. Had Robeson been a CP member he would most likely have been jailed under the [[Smith Act]], the FBI surveillance on his life being virtually non-stop during the late 1940s and 1950s.

==The Soviet Union and communist advocacy==

==The Soviet Union and communist advocacy==

Following Paul Robeson's first trip to Russia in late 1934, he became an ardent lover of not just the [[Soviet Union]]'s socialist experiment and its peoples, but Russian culture and history.<ref>Duberman, Martin. ''Paul Robeson'', 1989, pg 190.</ref> Robeson became fluent in Russian, studied Russian history in depth, learned about the many national minorities (eg: Yakuts) and wrote numerous essays and articles demonstrating his deeply held beliefs that the US should seek peace and understanding with Soviet Russia.

Following Paul Robeson's first trip to Russia in late 1934, he became an ardent lover of not just the [[Soviet Union]]'s socialist experiment and its peoples, but Russian culture and history.<ref>Duberman, Martin. ''Paul Robeson'', 1989, pg 190.</ref> Robeson became fluent in Russian, studied Russian history in depth, learned about the many national minorities (eg: Yakuts, Uzbeks, Tartars) and wrote numerous essays and articles demonstrating his deeply held beliefs that the US should seek peace and understanding with Soviet Russia.

===Silence on Stalin===

===Silence on Stalin===