Pearl Hobson facts for kids

Pearl Hobson (Russian: Перла Гобсон, born July 7, 1879, in Bedford County – died June 4, 1919, in Metsäkylä) was a talented performer. She was an American-born Russian actress, singer, dancer, and cabaret artist.

Early Life and Moving North

Pearl Lillian Hobson was born on July 7, 1879, in Bedford County, Virginia. Her mother was Susan Hobson. The family later moved to Roanoke, Virginia.

Around 1898, when Pearl was about 19 years old, she moved north to New York City. She often placed ads in newspapers looking for work as a housekeeper. By 1900, she found a job as a maid for the Leventritt family.

Pearl's Exciting Career

Joining the Florida Creole Girls (1902–1903)

In 1901, a French actress named Nina Diva created a dance group called the Fencing Musketeers. This group had eleven Black women. After two months of practice, they performed in New York City. Pearl was one of the performers.

In early 1902, the group traveled to Europe. They toured Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Hungary. In Hungary, the women had a disagreement with their manager about pay. Police had to step in to help.

Later that year, a German manager renamed the group Die 7 Florida Creols Girls. They continued touring across Europe, performing in places like Düsseldorf, Leipzig, Brussels, and Amsterdam.

In January 1903, the group performed at the Casino de Paris in France. They were famous for their amazing "Cakewalk" dance. They were so popular that their photos were made into postcards for tourists. The group eventually started to break up, with some members going solo. Pearl and three others continued performing in Vienna and Budapest. In June, they arrived in Imperial Russia, performing in Moscow. The police there stopped their show after ten performances, saying the Cakewalk was "too suggestive."

On July 4, the American Consul in Moscow invited American performers to a celebration. Pearl and the Florida Creole Girls Quartette were there, along with the famous magician Harry Houdini. After this, the group performed in St. Petersburg and Riga before finally disbanding in London.

Starting a Solo Career (1904–1906)

In 1904, Pearl returned to St. Petersburg to start her solo career. She performed successfully in Helsinki and then traveled across the Russian Empire. She became a popular American variety artist, performing in music halls in St. Petersburg, Odessa, and Moscow.

In 1905, Russia faced a lot of unrest. There were protests and conflicts, and the country was losing the Russo-Japanese War. Despite this, Pearl continued to perform. St. Petersburg tried to keep spirits high, and Pearl joined in the lively atmosphere.

By 1906, Pearl was performing in Moscow and later in Odessa, a busy port city in Ukraine. Odessa was a diverse and lively place with many theaters and restaurants. However, violence was increasing across Russia. Many wealthy people fled to their country homes, but even those were sometimes attacked.

Around September 1906, Pearl decided to return to New York to wait for the unrest to calm down. She visited her family in West Virginia, Ohio, and Virginia. People noticed her because she owned many valuable jewels and a very expensive fur coat.

Russia's Mulatto Sharpshooter (1907–1913)

By June 1907, the unrest in Russia had mostly ended, but the country was still tense. However, businesses began to boom again. Many Black entertainers traveled to Russia during this time, filling music halls with exciting performances.

On August 8, 1907, Pearl returned to New York and then to Europe. She arrived back in Russia on September 17. She quickly became very popular in St. Petersburg and Moscow, especially during her performances at the famous Yar restaurant. The Yar was known as one of the best restaurants in Russia and Europe.

Pearl often watched the Sokolovsky Gypsy choir perform Russian songs. The Yar's artistic director was Frederick Bruce Thomas, an African-American who had moved to Russia in 1899. He may have helped Pearl get her job at the restaurant and even managed her career. Pearl became a well-loved and respected entertainer. She performed in Russian, German, and French. She also enjoyed films, symphonies, and operas, and became part of high society. Thousands came to see her perform, and she earned a lot of money.

In 1909, Pearl returned to Odessa, where posters called her Russia's "Mulatto Sharpshooter."

By 1910, Pearl lived in a luxurious apartment in St. Petersburg with servants. She performed nightly at the fashionable Aquarium Theatre, singing Russian songs and performing dramatic dances. During this time, she caught the attention of Count Alexander Sheremetev. He was a wealthy and influential nobleman who loved music and firefighting. He even had his own orchestra and fire brigade. Surprisingly, his wife, Countess Maria, was friendly with Pearl. With the Count's help, Pearl became an even more skilled singer and ballet dancer, headlining at the Aquarium Theatre.

In 1911, Pearl performed in Odessa again. The following year, she performed in Kiev at the Apollo Theater.

World War I and Revolutions (1914–1917)

In June 1914, World War I began. Russia entered the war, and there was a strong feeling of patriotism. However, Russia soon faced severe shortages of weapons and supplies. Many soldiers went to the front lines without guns or even boots. The war caused immense suffering and loss of life.

Many noble families helped with the war effort. They turned their homes into hospitals and sent relief packages to prisoners. On September 1, St. Petersburg was renamed Petrograd. Despite the war, high society in Petrograd enjoyed a lively social season. Pearl continued to entertain at popular venues, where people danced the tango and enjoyed gypsy music.

In January 1915, the war continued with fierce battles. The Ottoman Empire, a long-time enemy of Russia, joined the war and attacked Russian cities, including Odessa.

In September 1915, Pearl moved to a new home in Petrograd. Around this time, Tsar Nikolai II made the decision to take command of the army himself. This led to him being blamed for military failures. While the Tsar was away, his wife, Tsarina Alexandra, and the mysterious holy man Grigory Rasputin became very influential in the government. Many people lost trust in the royal family.

By mid-1916, the mood in Russia was grim. Food shortages became common, and prices rose, leading to more strikes. On December 16, Rasputin was murdered. This event deeply shook the Tsar and his family. Petrograd became very restless, with growing discontent among the lower classes due to food shortages and high prices.

On March 8, 1917, thousands of women textile workers in Petrograd marched for bread. This protest quickly grew into a revolution. People broke shop windows and raided bakeries. Soon, more than three hundred thousand workers joined the protests. Soldiers began to join the crowds, and chaos spread. On March 12, the capital was under the control of revolutionaries.

On March 16, Tsar Nikolai gave up his throne. Many wealthy people fled the city as the old order collapsed. A new government was formed, promising freedoms like speech and press. However, a new group called the Bolsheviks began to target anyone they considered "privileged."

After the revolution, Pearl registered with the American Embassy. By May, Russia was adapting to its new political situation. However, a wave of crime spread as many prisoners were released.

On November 7, the Bolsheviks took power in Petrograd. Their leader, Vladimir Lenin, convinced his followers to act. Soldiers, sailors, and factory workers attacked the Winter Palace, where the government met. Pearl's artistic career was interrupted. She spent her time packing her valuable belongings, including silverware, furniture, fur coats, jewelry, and stage costumes.

In early December, Pearl left Petrograd. She traveled west to a coastal area known for its beautiful villas and beaches. She settled in a small Finnish village called Metsäkylä (now Molodyozhnoye). Count Sheremetev had given her a charming two-story cottage there. Pearl sent a letter to her family in America, saying she had survived the revolutions and bought a new house. On December 6, Finland declared independence from Russia, making Pearl safe from the chaos in Russia.

Life in Finland (1918–1919)

On January 27, 1918, Finland entered a civil war as it became an independent country. The war was fought between two sides: the Reds and the Whites. The Reds were workers who controlled the cities, while the Whites were farmers and wealthier people who controlled the countryside. The conflict ended on May 15, and Finland became a democratic republic.

In December 1918, Pearl adopted four children: Anselm (born 1904), Aina (born 1905), Vanya (born 1909), and Elina (born 1913). Their mother, Anna Maria Repatti, was struggling to feed her children after her husband died. Pearl offered to adopt them and brought them into her home.

Sadly, Pearl Lillian Hobson died on June 4, 1919, at the age of 39. She passed away due to Typhus. Some believe she might have died from the Spanish flu.