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Illustrated Edition of the Life and Escape of Wm. Wells Brown from American Slavery Written by Himself

By William Wells Brown

(3.5 stars) • 10 reviews

"Illustrated Edition of the Life and Escape of Wm. Wells Brown from American Slavery" by Wm. Wells Brown is a historical account written in the mid-19...

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2015-09-30
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Overview

"Illustrated Edition of the Life and Escape of Wm. Wells Brown from American Slavery" by Wm. Wells Brown is a historical account written in the mid-19th century. The narrative details the life experiences of the author, a fugitive slave, as he recounts his painful journey through slavery in America and his eventual escape to freedom. The book aims to raise awareness about the atrocities of slavery and advocate for emancipation, highlighting the experiences of the enslaved alongside Brown's personal story. The opening of the work sets the stage for the author's story by establishing his background, detailing his birth in Kentucky, the cruelty of plantation life, and the brutal realities faced by fellow slaves, such as Randall, whose defiance against punishment leads to severe retribution. Brown illustrates the psychological trauma endured by enslaved individuals, compounded by the fear of being separated from loved ones, as seen in his encounter with a mother and her child's distress over impending sale. This portion serves as a powerful prelude to his eventual escape, emphasizing the urgent desire for freedom that propels him forward amid the oppressive system of slavery. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

About the Author

William Wells Brown was an American abolitionist, novelist, playwright, and historian. Born into slavery near Mount Sterling, Kentucky, Brown escaped to Ohio in 1834 at the age of 19. He settled in Boston, Massachusetts, where he worked for abolitionist causes and became a prolific writer. While working for abolition, Brown also supported causes including: temperance, women's suffrage, pacifism, prison reform, and an anti-tobacco movement. His novel Clotel (1853), considered the first novel written by an African American, was published in London, England, where he resided at the time. It was later published in the United States.

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