Early Life and Career
Born on June 22, 1906, in Jamaica, Robert Nathaniel Robinson moved to the United States in 1923. He secured a position as a toolmaker at Ford Motor Company’s River Rouge Plant in Detroit, Michigan. Despite being the only Black worker in his department, he excelled in his role.
Invitation to the Soviet Union
In 1930, Soviet recruiters visited Ford’s plant seeking skilled workers for their industrialization efforts. Impressed by Robinson’s expertise, they offered him a contract to work at the Stalingrad Tractor Factory. Enticed by better pay and opportunities, Robinson accepted and relocated to the Soviet Union.
Confronting Racism Abroad
Shortly after his arrival, Robinson faced racial hostility from two white American colleagues who assaulted him. The Soviet authorities arrested and expelled the assailants, using the incident to denounce American racial prejudice. This event garnered international attention and highlighted the USSR’s stance against racism.
Decades in the USSR
Robinson extended his initial one-year contract and eventually became a Soviet citizen. He earned a degree in mechanical engineering and contributed to various industrial projects. Despite multiple attempts to leave, he remained in the USSR until 1974, when he was granted asylum in Uganda. In 1986, Robinson returned to the United States, ending a 44-year sojourn in the Soviet Union.
Born in Jamaica in 1906, Robert Nathaniel Robinson moved to the U.S. in 1923 and worked as a toolmaker at Ford’s River Rouge Plant in Detroit. In 1930, Soviet recruiters invited him to work at the Stalingrad Tractor Factory. He accepted, unaware he would stay for decades.🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/96r7xEETJ6
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) February 17, 2025