Paul Robeson: Baritone, Activist and Renaissance Man

Paul Robeson and family at home in Enfield, CT, ca. 1950.

Although Paul Robeson was born in New Jersey, for twelve years he made Enfield, Connecticut his home. The baritone and radio singer was best known for his title role in “Othello” in the 1930s and 1940s, which he portrayed in various venues between London and New York. Robeson performed in numerous American plays and Hollywood films, including Borderline (1930), The Emperor Jones (1933), and Show Boat (1936). Robeson performed regularly at the Bushnell Memorial Theater, having sung in their first Concert Series in 1945 with such songs as “Deep River” and “Ritual Fire Dance”.

“Meet Me In…”…….Connecticut?

I recently returned to Connecticut after a trip home to see my family in Illinois.  I grew up just this side of the mighty Mississippi River across from St. Louis, MO.  I love when I get to discover connections between my home near St. Louis and my new home in Connecticut.  While writing a recent YourPublicMedia article on Connecticut at the World’s Fairs (watch for it tomorrow!), I made a lot of discoveries about the state’s specific involvement in the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis.

Tile. 1904. CHS Collection. 1995.57.0.