Robeson’s Role

In her article on Paul Robeson, Janice Arkatov fell into a common error (“Acquainting the World With the Paul Robeson Story,” Nov. 3).

Robeson did not appear in the original productions of “Emperor Jones” and “Showboat.” The actor who created both those roles was Charles Gilpin, a well-known leading Negro actor in the 1920s. Robeson played them in later productions and film versions.

VICTOR ROSEN

Los Angeles