Paul Robeson: FBI & British Intelligence Files

Description

Paul Robeson: Timeline of an Activist’s Life and Surveillance

• 1898: Paul Leroy Robeson is born.
• 1915: Robeson wins an academic scholarship to Rutgers College, where he is the only African American student.
• During his time at Rutgers College: Robeson is twice named a consensus All-American in football and is elected class valedictorian.
• During an unspecified period (likely concurrent with or following Rutgers): Robeson receives a law degree from Columbia Law School while playing in the National Football League.
• During an unspecified period: Robeson becomes a prominent figure in the Harlem Renaissance.
• Before 1936 (likely 1920s-1930s): Robeson stars in stage and film versions of The Emperor Jones and Show Boat. He also establishes an immensely popular international screen and singing career.
• 1936: British Security Service files on Paul and Essie Robeson begin, documenting their pro-communist activities while visiting the United Kingdom.
• 1940s: The FBI initiates a security investigation into Paul and Eslanda Robeson, focusing on their affiliations with the Communist Party and Communist Party front groups.
• 1950s: Robeson is blacklisted during the era of McCarthyism due to his political stances and activism.
• 1955: British Security Service files on the Robesons conclude.
• 1960s: The FBI’s security investigation into the Robesons continues.
• 1976: Paul Leroy Robeson passes away.

Cast of Characters

• Paul Leroy Robeson (1898 – 1976): A multi-talented individual famous for his accomplishments as a stage and film actor, recording artist, and professional football player. He was also a political activist who spoke out against racism and became a world activist. He was the only African American student at Rutgers College, a consensus All-American in football, and class valedictorian. He earned a law degree from Columbia Law School and was a prominent figure in the Harlem Renaissance. Due to his pro-communist activities and involvement with the Council on African Affairs (CAA), he was blacklisted during McCarthyism and investigated by both the FBI and British Intelligence.
• Essie Robeson (Eslanda Robeson): Paul Robeson’s wife. She was also under scrutiny by the FBI and British Security Service due to her affiliation with the Communist Party and Communist Party front groups, and her pro-communist activities.
• FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation): A US intelligence and security agency that conducted a security investigation into Paul and Eslanda Robeson from the 1940s through the 1960s, documenting their political activity and travels due to their alleged affiliation with the Communist Party and its front groups.
• British Security Service (MI5): A British intelligence agency that maintained files on Paul and Essie Robeson from 1936 to 1955, due to their pro-communist activities during their visits to the United Kingdom.
• McCarthyism (Era of): A period in the 1950s during which Paul Robeson was blacklisted due to his political stances and activism. This refers to the practice of making accusations of subversion or treason without proper regard for evidence.