The SPHINX | Fall 2004 | Volume 89 | Number 1-3 200408901_03

The Fraternity Connection Brother Paul Robeson first became acquainted with Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity while serving as an Assistant Football Coach at Lincoln University (Pennsylvania). He served under the great Brother Fritz Pollard. Brother Robeson had just graduated from Rutgers University (New Jersey), following an outstanding collegiate career with excellence achieved in both academic and athletic arenas. Both Paul's father and one of his brothers were alumnus of Lincoln. In fact, Paul had actually wanted to attend Lincoln University, but could not afford to give up the four-year scholarship that was offered to him by Rutgers.

The brothers of NU chapter (Lincoln University, Pennsylvania) accepted Brother Robeson into the fold as noted in the SPHINX publication of February 1920, Vol VI # 1. On page 26, it is recorded in an article penned by Brother Timothy Cevera Myers, that "during the evening of Friday, December 5, (1919), NU chapter initiated Brother Paul Robeson into the folds of Alpha Phi Alpha" The brothers of NU referred to the talented Brother Robeson as "the youth who bears mid snow and ice, the banner with the strange device".

In the article, by the brothers of NU chapter, they went on to state "Brother Robeson, is one of the very few three (3) letter men of Rutgers College. He was picked by Walter Camp for his Ail-American Team in 1918; and is likewise, a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society. In short, let us welcome Brother Paul Robeson; the orator, athlete, scholar, and man; as an active honorary member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity".

A view of the motivation of Brother Robeson to become affiliated with Alpha Phi Alpha is gleaned from Brother Robeson's best friend Lloyd Brown who wrote in his biographical treatise of Brother Robeson entitled "The Young Paul Robeson". On page 111 he writes: "and now as an adopted Lincoln man Paul had the opportunity (denied him at Rutgers) of joining a college fraternity. He enrolled in the local chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, one of the most prestigious of black organizations.In 1921, as recorded in Vol 7 # 1 of the SPHINX p. 16-17 NU chapter (Lincoln University, Pennsylvania) held a smoker. Among the speakers was Brother Paul Robeson.

By 1922; Brother Paul Robeson, was married, a Law student at Columbia University (New York), a professional football player and a neophyte actor. Having moved to New York from Pennsylvania; Brother Robeson dutifully joined ETA Chapter. A couple of accounts acknowledge this transfer. In the March, 1922, issue of the SPHINX, Brother Carl Murphy, ed., the first comprehensive membership Directory of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity is published. On page nine (9), Brother Paul Robeson of 140 West 30th Street, New York, is identified as a member of ETA Chapter (New York Citv); also a mem-