Narrative of William W. Brown, a Fugitive Slave

Name: Narrative of William W. Brown, a Fugitive Slave
Author: William Wells Brown

By William Wells Brown

Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

Biographies History - American

About This Book

A first-person memoir by a formerly enslaved man that recounts life under bondage, brutal treatment on plantations and in trader gangs, forced separations and public sales, and the songs, small resistances, and narrow escapes that sustained enslaved people. The narrative moves through vivid episodic scenes—work in the fields and on river transport, punishments, and transactions—while reflecting on cruelty, resilience, and moral outrage. It concludes with the author's flight to freedom and subsequent encounters with abolitionist supporters, offering practical details of survival alongside broad testimony about the human cost and mechanics of the slave system.

About the Author

William Wells Brown

William Wells Brown was a prominent African American author, abolitionist, and lecturer in the 19th century. Born into slavery, he escaped and became a leading voice in the fight against slavery. His notable works include "Clotel; Or, The President's Daughter," which is recognized as the first novel published by an African American. Brown's writings often explored themes of race, identity, and the struggle for freedom, contributing significantly to American literature and the abolitionist movement. He also authored autobiographical narratives detailing his experiences as a fugitive slave, as well as works advocating for the rights and achievements of Black Americans.