McCarthy committee hearings, 412–13
PR’s Paris speech (1949), 346–7
Prayer Pilgrimage, 447
on racial prejudice, 88
Soviet purge trials, 221
Walter White Ebony article, rebuttal to, 395
press intrusions during PR’s illness and, 513, 516
relationships with other men, 601 n 42, 614–15 n 43
Noel Coward, 146, 147, 614 n 40, 615–6 n 48
Marcel Duchamp, 618 n 4
Michael Harrison, 150, 151, 162
Grant Lucas, 39, 102, 147, 148, 150
return to the U.S. (1963), 520–1
return to the U.S. opposed (1961), 496
on Revue Nègre, 93
PR’s rumored disillusion with Soviet Union and, 512–13
on Robert Rockmore, 313–14
suicide attempt by PR and, 498–500
Rebecca West and, 94–5
on White’s Fire in the Flint, 72–3
as writer, 157, 242, 292–3, 471, 481, 491, 492, 607 n 33, 617 n 3, 633 n 28, 691 n 49, 718 n 16, 743 n 6, 746 n 25, 754 n 8
African Journey, 293, 412
see also specific books
Max Yergan and, 257
Robeson, Frances Cline (“Frankie”) (sister-in-law), 426, 428, 569 n 16
Robeson, Huldah (aunt), 6, 567 n 5
Robeson, Louisa Bustill (Maria) (mother), 5, 8–9, 568 n 13, 568–9 n 14
Robeson, Marian (sister), see Forsythe, Marian
Robeson, Marilyn (daughter-in-law), 355–6, 358, 426, 464, 478, 479, 500, 501, 504, 524, 535, 537, 538, 540, 541, 691 n 48, n 49, 715 n 49, 718 n 15, n 16, 754 n 6
Robeson, Paul
on Africa, see African culture
on assimilation, 172, 199–200
athletics
basketball, 22
boxing, 52
high school, 14, 16, 571–2 n 32
at Rutgers, 22, 572–3 n 7–9
see also football; Rutgers College; St. Christopher basketball team
automobile accidents
1947, 317
1955, 431
1958, 455
black establishment on, 394–6
on black leadership, 351
childhood and adolescence, 3–18, 417–18
brothers and sister, 5
death of mother, 8–9
Jamison School, 12
jobs, 11
oratory and debating, 10, 12, 16–17, 572 n 34
personal characteristics, 9, 12–13, 15–16
racism in Princeton, 5–6
racism in Somerville, 12–15, 570 n 21, 571 n 27, n 28, n 29, n 30, 571–2 n 32
relationship to father, 8, 10
Somerville High, 12–17
athletics, 571 n 32
theatrical activities, 13
in Westfield, 9
Civil Rights Congress, see Civil Rights Congress (CRC)
civil rights movement and, 484, 485, 499, 523, 528, 534
in college, see Rutgers College
concerts and recitals, 24, 33, 52, 85
1924–25 76, 77
1925, 79–82, 84–6
1926, 98–101, 104–5
1927, 105–7, 109–12, 603 n 2
1928, 115
1929, 120–1, 122, 125–6, 606 n 30, 608 n 41
1930, 128–9, 613–14 n 34
1931, 138, 145, 150, 616 n 51, 616–17 n 56
1932, 156–7, 161–2
1934, 178
1935, 191–2, 631–2 n 19
1936, 208, 634 n 32
1937, 210, 212
1938, 222, 226, 643 n 31
1939, 228; see also “Ballad for Americans”
1940, 240, 241, 243, 649 n 17
1942, 256, 267–8
1945, 297–8, 302–3
1947, 316–17, 319–20
1948, 336
1949, 338, 349–52, 375–8, 689 n 34, n 40
1952, 400–3
1953, 409, 414
1956, 436–7
1957, 448, 449–50, 723 n 6
1958–59, 454–6, 462–3, 466–8, 470, 471, 725 n 22, 729 n 4, n 5
1960, 483, 487–91
classical music excluded, 176
combination of talk and song, 488–9
Council on African Affairs, see
Council on African Affairs (CAA)
at private homes, 77, 82, 84, 115, 603 n 10
death of, 548–50
drinking, 102–3
England, discrimination in, 607–8 n 38, 624 n 38; see also London
on family, 603 n 3, 613 n 35, 669 n 24
as father, 152, 189, 194, 246–7
films, 101, 120, 607 n 34, 657 n 63
African themes, 202–4
Big Fella, 207–8
Body and Soul, 77, 260
Borderline, see Borderline
Sergei Eisenstein, projects discussed with, 182–3, 185–7, 189–90, 194, 203–4, 208, 222, 627 n 59, 630–1 n 14
Emperor Jones, The, see Emperor Jones, The (film)
inability to find a satisfactory script, 122
C.L.R. James play Black Majesty as possible vehicle, 196–7
Jericho, 209, 210, 638 n 63
Katanian’s documentary, 468–70, 730 n 11–13, 733 n 29
King Solomon’s Mines, 202, 207, 637 n 54
My Song Goes Forth, 202–3, 636 n 45
Native Land, 261
new outspokenness (1933) about film stereotypes, 169
Sidney Poitier on PR’s career, 261
Proud Valley, The, 228, 231, 232, 234, 239, 646 n 46, 648 n 14
quitting Hollywood (1942), 260–1
Sanders of the River, 178–82, 626 n 50, n 53, n 54, n 56, 626–7 n 56, 627 n 58
Show Boat, 194–6, 203–4, 636 n 46
Song of Freedom, 202, 204, 636 n 45, n 48
Tales of Manhattan, 259–62, 656 n 61, 657 n 62
final years of (1966–76), 539–50
fraternity membership, see Alpha Phi Alpha
on gay people, 93–4
on God, 126–7, 576 n 31
Greenwich Village discrimination (1920s), 596 n 2
and Harlem, see Harlem
health, physical and emotional, 101, 151, 659 n 12
1953, 413, 414
1954, 426
1955–56, 436–9, 717 n 14
1957, 723 n 6
1959, 473–6, 732 n 7
1960, 482
1961–63, emotional state, 495–521
1963, physical health, 517, 751 n 50
1964, 523–6, 753 n 1
1966–76, 539–50, 760 n 9, 762 n 17, 763 n 25
bipolar depressive disorder, 438–9, 499
Buch Clinic, 514, 516–18, 520–1, 751–2 n 50
colds, 50, 100, 109, 119, 469
depression, 149, 502–6, 511–12, 516–17, 532–6, 544, 545, 719 n 19, 742 n 2, 747 n 28, 749 n 41, 751 n 50, 757 n 28
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), 503–4, 506, 514, 516–17, 743 n 11–13, 747 n 27, n 28, 750–1 n 49, 758 n 31
football injuries, 20, 21, 34
Gracie Square hospital, see Gracie Square psychiatric hospital
Dr. Kiev’s assessment (1965), 534
nearly fatal illness (1965), 537
organic condition underlying depression, 534, 540, 758–9 n 42
overweight, 267, 414–15, 486
Paget’s disease, 517, 751–2 n 50
prostate surgery, 435, 717 n 14
suicide attempt (1961), 497–500, 735–6 n 44; (1965) 532, 533, 535
Here I Stand, 458–60, 465, 466, 525–6, 543, 726 n 29, n 31
honors, awards, and tributes 1933, 161, 619 n 11
1940, 238
1943–45, 281, 294–5, 659 n 13, 665 n 3, 666 n 4, 669 n 28
1950, 391
1952, International Stalin Peace Prize, 406, 707 n 5
1960, 486–7, 738 n 55
1967–68, 542–3
1970–72, 543–4, 760 n 12
197
4, 547
forty-sixth birthday celebration, 284–5
sixtieth birthday tributes and celebrations (1958), 460–2, 727 n 34
sixty-fourth birthday greetings and letters (1962), 508
sixty-fifth birthday messages and presents (1963), 512, 748 n 36
sixty-seventh birthday “salute,” 528–30, 756 n 18, n 19
seventy-fifth birthday celebration (1973), 546–7, 762 n 18
Spingarn Medal (1945), 295, 299–301
on Jews and discrimination, 133, 353, 626 n 48, 689 n 34, 737 n 47; see also Jews; Soviet Union: anti-Semitism in
lack of recognition felt by (Sixties), 534
law profession and law school, 30, 41, 43, 52–5, 585 n 17, n 18
linguistics, 623 n 34, 715 n 3
married life with Eslanda Robeson, see Robeson, Eslanda, marriage of PR and,
money matters, 33, 67, 70, 409, 708 n 13, 714 n 47, 753 n 6
The Emperor Jones, income from, 167
ER and, 102, 313–15, 601 n 44
loan from Otto Kahn, 83–5, 119–20, 596 n 42, 606 n 28
Paul, Jr., and, 313–14
Bob Rockmore put in charge of, 242
at Rutgers, 24, 574 n 17
Sanders of the River, income from, 626 n 50
oratory, 12, 16–17, 24–7, 340
pentatonic scale theories, 437–8, 719 n 19, 723 n 5, 731 n 16, 740 n 65
personal characteristics of as adolescent, 12–13, 15–16
affability (friendliness, accessibility), 15, 40, 272
anger (rage), 15, 244–5, 271, 284, 440–1, 487–9
apartness (loner), 13, 15, 534, 573 n 15
as a boy, 9
Buch clinicians on, 751–2 n 50
charisma, 258–9
charm, 290
courage, 326, 515
Essie’s personal characteristics compared, 37–9
faith in human nature, 416–18
gentleness, 24
Uta Hagen on, 269, 290, 291
irresolution, appearance of, 150–2
C.L.R. James on, 197, 634 n 33
Ari Kiev on, 534
lack of affectation and self-consciousness, 118, 238, 258, 350
“laziness” misunderstood, 54, 585 n 16
Ethel Mannin on, 118
Fania Marinoff on, 229
optimism, 334, 342, 405, 417–18
Ben Robeson on, 54
Tony Salemmé on, 68–9
self-control, 15, 25
stubbornness, 363
Rebecca West on, 94
physical appearance, 42, 85, 148, 157, 231, 526
political and social views and activities, 107–8
1930 views, 132–5
1938 appearances at rallies, 222, 224, 227–8
1938 trip to Spain, 220
1949 activities, 337–8, 340–50
1950 activities, 383, 385–8
1951 activities, 396–8, 399–400
1952 election campaign, 404, 405
1959 activities, 479–80
1961 activities, 493–5
1964 activities, 526–7
1965 activities, 531–2
African culture, 129, 170–81, 623 n 30, 624 n 38; see also African culture
American culture, indictment of, 169, 171–2
antilynching campaign (1945–46), 305–7
black agenda effort (1947), 322–4
black Muslims, 528, 755 n 16
black nationalism, 172–5, 201–2, 309, 310, 575 n 24, 623–4 n 36; see also black Americans; black Muslim movement
Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” speech, response to, 303–4, 672 n 18
colonialism, 296–300, 304, 434
on Communism, 329–30; see also China; Communist Party, U.S.A.; Soviet Union
disillusion with Communism rumored, 415, 499, 505–6, 512–3, 522–3, 721, n 32
disillusion with Soviet Union rumored, 453–4, 499, 505–6, 512–13, 522–3, 750 n 49
election of 1948, 325–8, 334–5
gradualism rejected, 459
HUAC hearings (1956), 440–3
internationalism, 202
C.L.R. James on, 197–8
NBC cancellation (1950), 384–5
Paris speech (1949), 341–50, 686 n 15
Peoria affair (1947), 317–20, 678 n 5, 679 n 6, n 7
Prayer Pilgrimage (1957), 447–8
primary allegiance to black people, not Communist Party, 458–9
Progressive Party, see Progressive Party
on racism, see racism
“refusal to fight the Soviets” line, 342–50, 382–3, 686 n 15, 687 n 16, n 17
rhetoric and political rigidity, 381–2, 415–16
at Rutgers, 25–9
Senate Judiciary Committee hearings (1948), 328–30, 683 n 31, n 32
shift away from “Communist” image (1958), 453, 458–9
Soviet purge trials, 221, 308, 416–17, 506, 641 n 17
and Soviet Union, see Soviet Union
Spingarn award ceremony (1945), 299–301
Vietnam, 387
Welcome Home rally (1949), 357–9
during World War II, 233–4, 238–9, 252–3, 255, 257–9, 266–8, 282–5, 654 n 51, 659 n 12, 666 n 6, 668 n 21
after World War II (1945–46), 298–311
Yergan as political liaison, 257
radio broadcasts, 235–6, 238, 617 n 56, 633 n 30
BBC, 480–1, 483
Emperor Jones scene, 78
recordings, 82, 232, 616–17 n 56, 708 n 13, 737 n 53
1925–26, 98
“Ballad for Americans,” 236
“King Joe,” 177, 626 n 47
Othello Recording Company, 408–9, 425, 714 n 47
Vanguard, 460, 727 n 33
Victor Company, 82, 86, 236
religion, see black churches
retreats, 666 n 5
return to the U.S., feelings about (1960–61), 484–5, 493–5; (1963) 520–1
at Rutgers College, see Rutgers College
Russian language and, 149, 156, 162, 185, 244
singing, 33, 69, 75, 650–1 n 29
1965 California trip, 530
as adolescent, 13–14
blues, 156, 177–8
Larry Brown as accompanist and arranger, 78–83, 85, 98, 112–15, 156, 240, 302, 338, 467, 470, 487
career pattern, 126
concerts and recitals, see concerts and recitals above
Essie on, 56, 91
folk songs, 218, 728 n 38; see also folk music
Emma Goldman on, 89
jazz, 176–7, 351, 625 n 46
lieder, 145, 176, 613–14 n 35, 615 n 44, 616–17 n 56
microphone technique, 236, 467, 633 n 29
opera, 111, 245
pentatonic theories, 437–8, 719 n 19, 723 n 5, 731 n 16, 740 n 65
Pond as manager, 82, 85, 86, 98
range of PR’s voice, 111, 236, 350
recordings, see recordings above
Russian songs, 121, 149, 156, 616–17 n 56, 634 n 32, 649 n 17
at Rutgers, 24
self-doubts about musicianship, 245
spirituals, see spirituals below
voice lessons and coaches, 101, 120, 660 n 20
South, PR on, 326–7
spirituals, 49, 77–82, 595 n 36
1930 tours, 128–9
affinity for the songs, 81
Larry Brown as accompanist and arranger, 78–83
Copley Plaza Hotel concert (1924), 77
critics’ dissatisfaction with, 128–9, 146, 608 n 41
Provincetown Playhouse, performance at (1925), 79–81
Gertrude Stein on, 92
Van Vechtens’ home, performance at (1925), 79
see also concerts and recitals above, and individual spirituals
and Soviet Union, see Soviet Union
sports, see athletics
statue by Salemmé, 68–9, 589 n 3
television appearances, 466–8, 492, 729 n
5
theatrical activities
acting technique, 264, 270, 278
as adolescent, 13
Amateur Players, 43
Black Boy, 103–4, 596 n 2, 601–2 n 46, n 47, n 49
Black Majesty (James), 196–7
contract dispute with Caroline Dudley Reagan, 116–19, 605 n 18, 605–6 n 20
in England (1922), 47–51
Essie’s encouragement, 44
Essie on PR’s acting, 89–90
Hairy Ape, The, 148–9, 616 n 50
In Abraham’s Bosom turned down, 105
John Henry (Bradford), 228, 237–8, 647–8 n 11
Kahn asked for help by PR, 52–3
limitations and opportunities as actor, PR on his, 71
Lulu Belle part turned down, 83
Othello, see Othello (Shakespeare)
Pericles offer (1957), 451–2
Plantation Revue, 52
Plant in the Sun (Bengal), 223–5, 642 n 23
Porgy, 106, 113, 603–4 n 10
Porgy and Bess, 193, 215
Roseanne, 56–7
Shuffle Along, 44–5, 49, 52, 582 n 27, n 28
suspension from Actors’ Equity, 116–17, 605 n 18
Taboo (later renamed Voodoo), 43–5, 48–53, 58, 581–2 n 23, 583 n 5, 584 n 8
Unity Theatre (London), 213, 223–4, 642 n 22, n 23
see also Provincetown Players; and specific plays and musicals
travel restrictions, 388–90, 393–4, 396, 399–400, 406–7, 414, 424–5, 432–5, 437, 444–5, 450–3, 463, 480, 509–10, 705 n 42, 716 n 7, 717 n 8, 719 n 22, 721 n 37, 728 n 39, n 40
on Western culture, 169, 171–5, 200–2
white attitudes toward
as adolescent, 12, 14–16
in England, 87, 123–4
racial slurs, PR’s views on, 72
at Rutgers, 19–21
at Stotesbury and Miner (law office), 55
see also racism
women, relationships with, 69, 149, 294
avoidance of commitment, 287, 288
ER as convenient cover, 287
friendships with husbands, 241–2
in Paul Robeson, Negro (ER), 139–40
Provincetown Players, 60–1
strong and intelligent women, attraction to, 241, 667 n 16
traditional male expectations, 165, 291
see also Bledsoe, Geraldine
(Maimie) Neale; Diamond, Freda;
Hagen, Uta; Jackson, Yolande;
McKinney, Nina Mae; Rockmore,
Clara; Rosen, Helen
Robeson, Paul, Jr. (son), 110, 115, 118, 119, 139, 140, 144, 145, 150–1, 152, 154–5, 161, 189, 194–5, 204–11, 221–2, 235, 238, 245–6, 292, 313–15, 355–6, 358, 382–3, 395, 408–9, 415, 416, 417, 425, 426, 435, 447, 460, 476, 478, 479, 491, 496, 498–500, 506, 513, 522, 524, 527–8, 530–1, 532, 533, 535–6, 537–8, 539–40, 541, 544–6, 548, 550, 641 n 18, 646 n 49, 669 n 24, 682 n 21, 702–3 n 26, 741 n 1
1965 activities of PR and, 531–2
birth, 110
Paul Robeson Page 132