I. Newspaper Clippings,, 1916-2004

Summary: Originally housed in five scrapbooks the newsclippings span the years from 1916 to 2004 (bulk, 1916-1979) and are collected from newspapers across the nation. Magazine clippings, press releases, and ephemera also appear. Subjects are broken down into the following sections but are not comprehensive or exhaustive.

News clippings, June 1916-1931--Subjects include: oratorical, athletic, and academic honors at Rutgers; boxing career rumors; controversy concerning Robeson's role in All God's Chillun Got Wings 1924; performance in Emperor Jones 1924; dispute at Dutch Treat Club; recitals, concerts; speaks on racial understanding; performance in Showboat 1927; performance in Black Boy1926; London performances; performance in Porgy 1928; performance in Berlin; sculpted figurine of Robeson barred from Philadelphia exhibition (illus.), 1930; wife publishes Robeson biography. Books reviews by Langston Hughes and others named to British Who's Who, 1931.

News clippings, 1931-1939-- Subjects include: performances in plays: Hairy Ape, 1931>; Showboat, 1932; Emperor Jones, 1933; Basalik, 1935; Toussaint L' Overture 1936; John Henry 1939; acting in films: Emperor Jones1933; Sanders of the River, 1933; Showboat, 1935; King Solomon's Mine, 1937; concerts, recitals in U.S. and England; interest in Africa, Russia; honorary degree at Rutgers, 1932; reason for singing spirituals; plan to visit Russia; assorted biographical feature articles; places son in Soviet school.

News clippings, 1940-1948--Subjects include: speaking out on fascism; honorary degree from Hamilton college; performance in "Proud Valley" (London); Carnegie Hall performance; "Robeson Technique" announced by Acoustical Society; sues San Francisco restaurant for racial discrimination; D.A.R. bars Robeson from using Constitution Hall for a concert; acting in film: "Proud Valley"; interrupts Kansas concert to protest segregation; quits theater for two years to fight discrimination; named by House Committee on Un-American Activities; Violence threatened in Illinois, 1947; possible running mate for Henry A. Wallace, 1948; W. Virginia library bans Robeson biography

News clippings, 1949-1971--Subjects include: leading protest for accused African Americans from Trenton; commenting on discrimination in sports; public sentiment of Robeson's politics; O. Hammerstein's response to Robeson's changing lyrics of song; identified as member of communist party; Peekskill riot, 1949; Robeson testifies for communists; American Legion asks for ban; "Press Club Weekly" articles; Football Hall of Fame nomination is vetoed; enters hospital at age 71; Home News editorial calls upon Rutgers president to nominate Robeson for inclusion in Who's Who Rutgers, Newark, calls for renaming of student center for Robeson

News clippings, 1972-2004--Subjects include: decision to rename Newark student center; tributes to Robeson; biographical summaries; dedication ceremony of renamed student center; dedication speech by President Bloustein; honorary doctorate degree by Rutgers; Carnegie Hall celebrates Robeson's 75th birthday; on naming Robeson to National Football Foundation Hall of Fame; Robeson dies at 77; funeral services in Harlem; NJ State Assembly honors Robeson by passing resolution to declare Feb. 6 Black History Week; inducted into Black Athletes Hall of Fame; Robeson, Jr. declares government harassed his father (wiretapping, house bugging, mail interception, car sabotage, and fabricated news reports).