Robinson, Bill, 1878-1949

found: Halliwell, L. Filmgoers comp., 4th ed.(Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, b. 1878; d. 11/25/49)

found: New Grove dict. of Amer. mus.(Robinson, Bill "Bojangles" (Luther); b. May 25, 1878, Richmond, VA, d. Nov. 25, 1949, New York; jazz dancer)

found: African American National Biography, accessed April 7, 2015, via Oxford African American Studies Center database:(Robinson, Bill; Luther Robinson; “Bojangles”; tap dancer; born 25 May, 1878 in Richmond, Virginia, United States; ran away to Washington, D.C., worked as a dancer in beer gardens; was a pickaninny in the chorus line, touring show South before the War (1892); won Friday night buck-and-wing dance contest, New York (1900); danced with variety of partners (1902-1914); was known to anger quickly, gamble, and carry a gold-plated revolver; became a soloist at Keith circuit (1908), headliner at New York's Palace Theatre; billed as a champion dancer, participated and won dance competitions; performed in vaudeville (1914-1927); sang and danced in Broadway shows (1928-1945); performed in Hollywood films (1930-1943); opened the downtown Cotton Club in New York and introduced a new dance, the Suzi-Q (1936); was member of many clubs, civic organizations and an honorary member of police departments; died 25 November, 1949 in New York, United States)