Last Updated September 25, 2026 Paul Robeson: Lawyer, Scholar, Athlete, Performer and Activist Paul Robeson was born to a former slave, the Rev. William Robeson. His mother, a teacher, died shortly thereafter when he was only five years old. Three years later, the Robeson family moved to Westfield, New Jersey. In 1910, Robeson’s father became … Continue reading From Slave Roots to Rhoads Scholar: Remembering Paul Robeson