Marian Anderson {1897-1993}, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was one of the greatest classically trained singers of the 20th century. In 1930, she was awarded a fellowship that allowed her to study German lieder in Berlin. Anderson performed internationally, singing a varied repertoire in her rich contralto. In 1955 she became the first black singer to appear on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Anderson was prominent in the struggle of African Americans for racial equality.