Bert Williams

Egbert Austin Williams (November 12, 1875 – March 4, 1922) was the pre-eminent Black entertainer of his era and one of the most popular comedians for all audiences of his time. He was by far the best-selling black recording artist before 1920.

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 * The man with the real sense of humor is the man who can put himself in the spectator's place and laugh at his own misfortunes.
 * Bert Williams, The comic side of trouble, January 1918, American Magazine 85, 33-34, 58-60. Quoted in From traveling show to vaudeville: theatrical spectacle in America, 1830-1910, 2003, Robert M. Lewis, JHU Press, ISBN 0801870879.

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 * Bert Williams has done more for the race than I have. He has smiled his way into people's hearts. I have been obliged to fight my way.
 * Booker T. Washington