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.Joe Drape. Black maestro: the epic life of an American legend. Harper Collins, New York: 2006. Page 145. As examples of his place in society, Thomas hosted men like Jimmy Winkfield,Drape 146. had connections with the Tsar, and once introduced Jack Johnson to Rasputin.Finis Farr. "Jack And The Game." Sports Illustrated. June 22, 1959. Thomas adopted the Russian name of Fyodor.
Thomas fled to Constantinople during the Russian Revolution but was never as rich and famous as he once had been.
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