Solomon Northup: The Complete Story of the Author of Twelve Years A Slave: The Complete Story of the Author of Twelve Years a Slave

by David Fiske, Clifford W. Brown Jr., Rachel Seligman

Overview

A companion to the classic African-American autobiographical narrative, Twelve Years A Slave, this work presents fascinating new information about the 1841 kidnapping, 1853 rescue, and pre- and post-slavery life of Solomon Northup.

Solomon Northup: The Complete Story of the Author of Twelve Years A Slave provides a compelling chronological narrative of Northup's entire life, from his birth in an isolated settlement in upstate New York to the activities he pursued after his release from slavery. This comprehensive biography of Solomon Northup picks up where earlier annotated editions of his narrative left off, presenting fascinating, previously unknown information about the author of the autobiographical Twelve Years A Slave.

This book examines Northup's life as a slave and reveals details of his life after he regained his freedom, relating how he traveled around the Northeast giving public lectures, worked with an Underground Railroad agent in Vermont to help fugitive slaves reach freedom in Canada, and was connected with several theatrical productions based upon his experiences. The tale of Northup's life demonstrates how the victims of the American system of slavery were not just the slaves themselves, but any free person of color—all of whom were potential kidnap victims, and whose lives were affected by that constant threat.

• For the first time, a book documents the full story of Northup's life—the basis of the 2013 movie, Twelve Years a Slave, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender, and Paul Giamatti
• Supplies detailed coverage of Northup's pursuits after his release from slavery: educating the public via his book, his lectures, and dramatic presentations; and his efforts to help others gain freedom through his work on the underground railroad
• Provides a list of more than two dozen places and dates where Northup appeared following the publication of his book

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781440829758
Publisher:	ABC-CLIO, Incorporated
Publication date:	08/12/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	NOOK Book
Pages:	225
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

David Fiske, MLS, is a writer and independent researcher. He was previously senior librarian at the New York State Library.

Clifford W. Brown, PhD, is Robert Porter Patterson Professor of Government at Union College.

Rachel Seligman, MFA, is Assistant Director for Curatorial Affairs at the Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College.