Ira Aldridge as Othello, circa 1848.

Ira Aldridge was the first black American theatre star. Aldridge attended the Afro-American Free School in New York City, near the old Park Theater, with a gallery for blacks, where Edmund Kean performed Richard III, Othello, Hamlet, Lear and Shylock. In 1820 Aldridge went to England and worked at LondonÂ’s Coburg Theatre. By 1827 he was known as "The Celebrated Mr. Keene, the African Roscius." Aldridge opened as Othello at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden in 1833, just after the death of Kean, who had also played the role there. The Morning Post said of AldrigeÂ’s performance that 'it was doubtless sufficiently good to be considered very curious' but the Standard said he was a 'singularly gifted actor' and the Globe found 'beauties throughout his performance' while the Spectator felt he 'evinced a great deal of feeling and nature in his performance'. He had a commanding presence, but was considered too brutal when he dragged Desdemona around by her hair before murdering her. He became a touring star, traveling throughout Europe. One critic said: "After this Othello, it would be an anti-climax to have seen an ordinary Othello again." Jenny Lind said he was the greatest of all Othellos. His Russian tours had a profound influence on Russian actors. He never returned to the USA and died in Poland. Painter unknown. Courtesy of the Victoria and Albert Museum.