Bill robinson

Posts about Shirley Temple written by Mary Miley

Bill Robinson, byname Bojangles, original name Luther Robinson, (born May 25, 1878, Richmond, Virginia, U.S.—died November 25, 1949, New York, New York), American dancer of Broadway and Hollywood, best known for his dancing roles with Shirley Temple in films of the 1930s. Robinson’s parents having died when he was a child, he was raised by a grandmother and received little formal schooling. He began dancing for pennies at the age of eight, when he had also begun to work as a stableboy. He…

The Montgomery Bus Boycott of Montgomery, Alabama is known as the crucial catalyst that jump-started the Civil Rights Movement. When Rosa Parks, a well respected secretary of the local NAACP chapter, refused to give up her seat on the bus to a white man as she returned home from work, Parks was arrested. Her refusal and subsequent arrest was used ...

Bill "Bojangles" Robinson

Bill "Bojangles" Robinson (1878-1949)

Florenz Ziegfeld featured tap in his revues, including 50 tap dancers in the first Ziegfeld Follies in 1907. Aside from featuring big names like Fred Astaire, he also hired choreographers and dance directors to ensure the form was receiving particular attention. Tap became more popular as a result. Ned Wayburn was a hugely influential dance director. Aside from inspiring Fred Astaire to switch from ballet to tap, he also coined the term ‘tap dance.’

Portrait of Bill "Bojangles" Robinson.

Bill “Bojangles” Robinson