Ole Larson's Folks

No close family anniversaries. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, on this date in 1803: Ralph Waldo Emerson, poet, essayist, icon of the Romantic era in literature.

= = =

Also, born in Richmond, Virginia, on this date in 1878: Bill “Bojangles” Robinson. According to an extensive Wikipedia article, Robinson was the “best-known and best-paid African-American entertainer of the early twentieth century” (in spite of which, he died penniless in 1949). Often vilified for his participation in racial stereotypes, he was at the same time a leader in several key areas of integration. For example, he was the first African-American to costar, and dance on-screen, with a white partner, namely Shirley Temple in “The Little Colonel.” Robinson also elevated the art of tap dance to new heights, as shown in the following scene.

24 May
26 May

FEEDBACK