Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Paul Robeson

Paul Robeson was born on April 9, 1898. He was the youngest of five children. His father was born a slave on a North Carolina plantation.

- Stephanie Turner

Following years of suffering the inhumanity and depravity of slavery, he risked his life to escape to the North. He was only 15 years old.

Free and ambitious, Robeson’s father began the task of pursuing an education. He attended Lincoln University, studying Theology. He met and married Maria Louisa Bustill while at Lincoln. Once he graduated, he became pastor of the Witherspoon Baptist Church in Princeton, New Jersey. Rev. Robeson became a father for the first time when he was 53 years old when Paul was born.

Paul’s mother died tragically when he was only 16, and Paul became closer to his father. He enjoyed his father’s sermons and sang in the choir. He especially enjoyed the Negro Spirituals. While in high school, he sang in the Glee Club. Not only did he sing, but he was also a versatile athlete playing football, baseball, basketball, and running track. Despite participating in all these activities, he graduated with honors, receiving a four-year scholarship to Rutgers College, now Rutgers University.