Richmond’s History Makers: Luther Robinson

Luther Robinson, a.k.a. Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, was born in Richmond in 1878 and was raised by his grandmother. His nickname originated in his childhood. During that time he sold newspapers and danced on the streets for change. He left school and ran away to Washington, D.C. at the age of 8. He perfected his dancing style by copying dancers in traveling shows. His complicated footwork was highly rhythmic.

Critics were impressed with Robinson’s tap dancing skills when he joined a touring theater group in New York City. His most memorable dance was on a staircase, which he later performed with Shirley Temple in “The Little Colonel” in 1935. He appeared in one film for black audiences, “Harlem is Heaven,” in 1931. The film did not make a large profit and it turned Robinson away from independent production.

He made his professional debut in “The South Before the War” in 1892. He moved to Hollywood in 1930 and appeared in 14 motion pictures. He also holds the World’s Record for running 100 yards backwards.

Robinson died Nov. 25, 1949 from a chronic hear condition. He is buried in a Harlem armory.

While Robinson earned a lot of money in his lifetime, he often donated it to the needy. In 1933 he saw two children endangered by traffic because there was no stoplight at the intersection of Leigh and Adams streets and Chamberlayne Parkway, so he paid $1,400 to erect a traffic light. A statue of “Bojangles” was placed at the intersection in 1973.