One of the greatest singers of the 20th Century, Paul Robeson, has been honoured with an English Heritage blue plaque.

The singer, who was also a pioneering civil rights activist, lived in north London between 1929 and 1930.

A plaque was unveiled by Dame Cleo Laine at the singer's former home in Hampstead on Thursday.

He was well known for his powerful voice - particularly for his rendition of Ol' Man River in Showboat - as well as his stance on human rights.

It will remind us all of the deep mutual affection between my father and the peoples of the United Kingdom

Paul Robeson Junior

Before the civil rights movement of the 1960s began, Robeson picketed the White House, started a crusade against lynching and protested against segregated concert audiences.

Dame Cleo said his name should be remembered for his work as a campaigner.

"Paul Robeson's name should be lauded in America and the world, as is Dr Martin Luther King's," she said.

Artistic growth

"As he once said, 'I have been part of the protest movement my whole life'.

"And he sang like an angel too."

Robeson's son, Paul Junior, said: "I welcome the unveiling of a blue plaque honouring Paul Robeson.

"It is an appropriate symbolic recognition of a significant period of my father's artistic and political growth in London.

"It will remind us all of the deep mutual affection between my father and the peoples of the United Kingdom."