George Thomas was an African-American who found success in the Russian Empire during the reign of Nicholas II.
Thomas moved to St. Petersburg in 1890 to become a valet. The tsars had long hired black servants, and Afro-Russians could become extremely successful (see, for example Abram Petrovich Gannibal or Ira Aldridge). Thomas became an extremely rich and successful nightclub owner, theatrical producer, and more; he owned and ran the Aquarium, which boasted a theater, an amphitheater, back rooms, and so on. [1] As examples of his place in society, Thomas hosted men like Jimmy Winkfield, [2] had connections with the Tsar, and once introduced Jack Johnson to Rasputin. [3] Thomas adopted the Russian name of Fyodor. [4]
Thomas fled to Constantinople during the Russian Revolution but was never as rich and famous as he once had been.[ citation needed]
References
- ^ Joe Drape. Black maestro: the epic life of an American legend. Harper Collins, New York: 2006. Page 145.
- ^ Drape 146.
- ^ Finis Farr. " Jack And The Game." Sports Illustrated. June 22, 1959.
- ^ "Black Immigrants/ Black Visitors to Russia"
 | This article about a United States businessperson is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
George Thomas was an African-American who found success in the Russian Empire during the reign of Nicholas II.
Thomas moved to St. Petersburg in 1890 to become a valet. The tsars had long hired black servants, and Afro-Russians could become extremely successful (see, for example Abram Petrovich Gannibal or Ira Aldridge). Thomas became an extremely rich and successful nightclub owner, theatrical producer, and more; he owned and ran the Aquarium, which boasted a theater, an amphitheater, back rooms, and so on. [1] As examples of his place in society, Thomas hosted men like Jimmy Winkfield, [2] had connections with the Tsar, and once introduced Jack Johnson to Rasputin. [3] Thomas adopted the Russian name of Fyodor. [4]
Thomas fled to Constantinople during the Russian Revolution but was never as rich and famous as he once had been.[ citation needed]
References
- ^ Joe Drape. Black maestro: the epic life of an American legend. Harper Collins, New York: 2006. Page 145.
- ^ Drape 146.
- ^ Finis Farr. " Jack And The Game." Sports Illustrated. June 22, 1959.
- ^ "Black Immigrants/ Black Visitors to Russia"
|
| This article about a United States businessperson is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |