His memoir, twelve years a s lave, was published in 1853 and details the deception that got him kidnapped and sold into slavery, as well as the years he spent on southern plantations. But this particular edition is enriched with notes and various appendices written by the two editors. He lived, worked, and married in upstate new york, where his family resided. Solomon northup was a free black resident of new york state who was drugged on a trip to washington, d. Solomon northup was a free man kidnapped into slavery in washington, d. Edwin epps character analysis in 12 years a slave litcharts. This edition includes the complete unabridged text of his firsthand narrative, as well as the original illustrations throughout. Twelve years a slave solomon northup, 1853, 1968, 2008 penguin group usa 288 pp. The tragic story of solomon northup told in twelve years a slave stands as an enduring classic in american history.
Born in july 1808, he was the son of an emancipated slave. The narrative will be read with interest by every one who can sympathise with a human being struggling for. The main characters of this non fiction, history story are solomon northup. Perhaps the best written of all the slave narratives, twelve years a slave is a harrowing memoir about one of the darkest periods in american history. A farmer and a professional violinist, northup had been a landowner in hebron, new york. The first edition of the novel was published in 1853, and was written by solomon northup. Solomon northup s 12 years a s lave recounts the authors life story as a free black man from the north who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in the precivil war south the son of an emancipated slave, northup was born free. Born free and illegally kidnapped, he spends 12 years in slavery before achieving his freedom. Epps offers the standard justification for slavery, that black people were naturally. Twelve years a slave is a powerful narrative in and of itself, telling the story of solomon northup, a black man born free yet kidnapped and sold into slavery for twelve years before being rescued. The book twelve years a s lave is wonderfully written and sadly hundreds of stories that are true and need to be written. The 12 years a slave quotes below are all either spoken by edwin epps or refer to edwin epps. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one. Northup worked on plantations in the state of louisiana for twelve.
I am currently reading twelve years a slave by solomon northup. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read twelve years a slave. Twelve years a slave nook edition by solomon northup. Twelve years a slave is an 1853 memoir and slave narrative by american solomon northup as. He gave many lectures in support of the abolitionist causes and aided in the underground railroad for fugitive slaves. Narrative of solomon northup, a citizen of newyork, kidnapped in washington city in 1841, and rescued in 1853. Twelve years a slave study guide contains a biography of solomon northup, literature essays, a complete etext, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Twelve years a slave solomon northup read online free books. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every. Aug 22, 2018 solomon northup after his 12 years a slave.
Born a free black in new york state in 1808, he was kidnapped in washington, d. This new edition of the book shows to a fuller extent the tragedy, adding some understanding of the limits to freedom and justice endured by a free man of color in antebellum society. Solomon northup 12 years a slave audiob book online. After his escape, he became an abolitionist and published his memoir, twelve years a s lave 1853. A freeborn african american from new york, he was the son of a freed slave and a free woman of color. Twelve years a slave, a true story by solomon northup. Twelve years a slave quotes and analysis gradesaver. In 1841, northup was kidnapped in boston and take to the south to be sold as a slave. Twelve years a slave, solomon northup 1808 1863 twelve years a slave is an 1853 memoir and slave narrative by american solomon northup as told to and edited by david wilson. Twelve years a slave by solomon northup free ebook. Twelve years a slave is an 1853 memoir and slave narrative by american solomon northup as told to and edited by david wilson.
Frederick douglass, famous writer, former slave and abolitionist it will be read extensively. Books by solomon northup author of twelve years a slave. I am currently reading twelve years a s lave by solomon northup. Stowes book was published a year before northups memoir but by the time she published her rebuttal to critics about accuracy in her a key to. Steve mcqueens devastating new movie, 12 years a s lave, begins with the words based on a true story and ends with a description of what happened to solomon northup and his assailants. Twelve years a slave by solomon northup is a memoir of a black man who was born free in new york state but kidnapped, sold into slavery and kept in bondage for 12 years in louisiana before the american civil war. Northup s book was published in 1853, less than a year after his liberation. Twelve years a slave is a memoir and slave narrative by solomon northup as told to and edited by david wilson. The narrative provides a unique perspective on slavery, being told from the slave himself instead of an outsider looking in. Images, maps and read twelve years a slave enhanced edition by dr. Based on the autobiographical narrative 1853 of solomon northup, the film. Twelve years a slave by solomon northup full audiobook. Now the major motion picture that won the 2014 academy award for best picture, starring chiwetel ejiofor, michael fassbender. Its an autobiographical account of how solomon northup.
Solomon northup twelve years a slave freebooksummary. He provided details of slave markets in washington, dc, as well as describing at. At home in syracuse, new york, adams read twelve years a slave alone in his room quicker than any book id ever read in my life. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read 12 years a slave. Twelve years a slave by solomon northup book resume. Unlike most authors of slave narratives, northup was not a fugitive when he co authored his book with a white man named david wilson. The narrative opens with a promise from narrator and protagonist, solomon northup, that the following story will not be uninteresting to the public. Free download or read online twelve years a slave pdf epub book. Solomon northup after his 12 years a slave history. The narrative twelve years a slave is a mesmerizing memoir of the life of solomon northup.
The complete story of the author of twelve years a s lave, isbn 9781440829741, with coauthors fiske, clifford w. Twelve years a slave ebook written by solomon northup. Twelve years a slave by solomon northup, hardcover. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read 12 years a s lave. Solomon northup july 10, 1807 or 1808 unknown was an american abolitionist and the primary author of the memoir twelve years a slave. Born as a free coloured man, solomon northup was tricked, drugged, kidnapped, tortured and hence sold into slavery. These notes and appendices create a real perspective. Northups book, dedicated to stowe, sold 30,000 copies, making it a bestseller in its own right. Check out other translated books in french, spanish languages. Twelve years a slave is an account of actual events that took place in the life of solomon northup, during the precivil war era of the 1840s. The book, which is set to release as a feature film next month, is powerful. The books appendix c provides the publishing history for twelve years a s lave during the 19th century. Pdf twelve years a slave book by solomon northup free.
Twelve years a slave, by solomon northupa project gutenberg. Solomon northup s twelve years a slave, provides readers with a different outlook on slavery. In 1841, he was offered a traveling musicians job and went to. Northups narrative stages a debate between bass and epps. In it, he takes the reader on an unforgettable journey from the slave markets in washington, d.
The main interest of the book is of course the autobiographical testimony it contains. Narrative of solomon northup, a citizen of new york, kidnapped in washington city in 1841, and rescued in 1853, from a cotton. It recounts how solomon northup, born a free man in new york, was lured to washington, d. Northup discusses his days as a slave and the different obstacles he went through. Solomon northup, american farmer, laborer, and musician whose experience of being kidnapped and sold into slavery was the basis for his book twelve years a slave 1853, which was adapted into an awardwinning film in 20. Readers couldnt help but notice that the reallife horrors exposed in northup s expansive book, written with the assistance of lawyer. Having no way to contact his family, and fearing for his life if he told the truth, solomon northup was sold from plantation to plantation in louisiana, toiling under cruel masters for twelve years. It follows the trials and tribulations of an educated african american man that was born into freedom and later kidnapped, taken away from his family, and forced into slavery. Solomon northup was a free african american living in new york in the 1800s when he was captured and sold into slavery into the south. In chapters i and ii, northup tells of his life as a free black man living in upstate new york. Northup, a black man who was born free in new york state, details his being tricked to go to washington, d. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 363 pages and is available in ebook format.
Additionally, the accuracy of and factual detail in 12 years a slave have kept this book prominent as a reliable historical reference on slavery for more than 150 years since it first debuted. An original slave narrative written in 1808 by solomon northup, this harrowing tale tells of his life as a free man in new york who was then drugged, beaten, kidnapped, and sold into slavery, living the next twelve years of his life as a slave on a series of louisiana plantations. Stanley elkins in his book, slavery chicago, 1959, like phillips and stampp, found northups. Download or read twelve years a slave book by clicking button below to visit the book download website. The book was expanded and reissued by praeger in august 20 as solomon northup.
Solomon northup was a black man who was born a free black man in new york in 1808. May 14, 2019 solomon northup was an africanamerican farmer and musician who was taken hostage and sold into slavery in 1841. This harrowing true story of solomon northup was the basis for the academy awardwinning film 12 years a slave. Twelve years a slave tells the remarkable true story of solomon northup, a free black man who was kidnapped in washington d. Solomon is tricked, drugged and offered into slavery. Strongly recommended for anyone interested in american history or who has never heard of solomon northup. Anne hampton northup solomons wife and the mother of his three children. Twelve years a slave was recorded by david wilson, a white lawyer and legislator from new york who claimed to have presented a faithful history of solomon northup s life, as i received it from his lips p. Twelve years a s lave by solomon northup, 9780007580422, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Twelve years a slave narrative of solomon northup, a citizen of newyork, kidnapped in washington city in 1841, and rescued in 1853, from a cotton plantation near the red river in louisiana alternate title. Narrative of solomon northup, a citizen of newyork, kidnapped in washington city in 1841, and rescued in 1853, from a cotton plantation near the red river.
Northup, a black man who was born free in new york, details his kidnapping in washington, d. His appeals of being wrongfully confined are met a beating so serious that he keeps his true identity a key from that point on. Shortly after his escape, he published his memoirs to great acclaim and brought legal action against his abductors, though they were never prosecuted. For the following twelve years, hes sold to numerous ruthless, savage and also despicable servant owners. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Twelve years a s lave by solomon northup the 2014 oscar winning film for best picture, 12 years a slave, is based upon the truelife story of solomon northup. Pdf twelve years a slave by solomon northup download pdf. Shortly after his escape, he published his memoirs to great acclaim and brought legal action against his. His name and identity were snatched away from him and he was forced to be slave and after 12 years remaining slave under various masters, he obtained freedom in january 1853. His memoirs of the experience were published as twelve years a s lave. Narrative of solomon northup, a citizen of new york, kidnapped in washington city in 1841, and rescued in 1853, from a cotton plantation near the red river in louisiana 1853. He spent the next 12 years as a slave, and this book was written after he was rescued in 1853. Solomon northups twelve years a slave, provides readers with a different outlook on slavery. Feb 25, 2014 12 years a slave ebook written by solomon northup.
Not hopefully for our enjoyment but giving us the understanding and knowledge not to repeat and if done and we are made aware do something about. Solomon northup has 45 books on goodreads with 234179 ratings. Beaten and chained, he was transported by ship to a new orleans slave market and suffered more than a decade of servitude on louisiana plantations. Free man in chapters i and ii, northup tells of his life as a. The project gutenberg ebook of twelve years a slave, by solomon northup this ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. Praise for twelve years a slave i can never read his account of his days in slavery, of his independence of spirit, of his determination to be free without believing that it would make a difference in todays world if our contemporaries knew of such a man as solomon northup. Feb 27, 2014 twelve years a slave by solomon northup, 9780007580422, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Its an autobiographical account of how solomon northup, continue reading. Solomon northups most popular book is twelve years a slave. This book is also available in large print, extra large print and dyslexiafriendly editions. Twelve years a s lave narrative of solomon northup, a citizen of newyork, kidnapped in washington city in 1841, and rescued in 1853, from a cotton plantation near the red river in louisiana alternate title. Apr 30, 2019 solomon northup was a free black resident of new york state who was drugged on a trip to washington, d.
Northup dictated his story to wilson, who wrote it down and prepared it for publication under the title 12 years a s lave. He tells the reader that the pages to come will detail his life as a free man of the north, his subsequent kidnapping, his twelve miserable years. Readers couldnt help but notice that the reallife horrors exposed in northups expansive book, written with the assistance of lawyer. A black woman of mixedrace ancestry, she worked as a cook. Solomon northup gives the reader a detailed account of the lives.
Among the three owners he had, all of them had a different way of treating their slaves. The story of solomon northup is a bizarre and incredible one. There are multiple format available for you to choose pdf, epub, doc. In the end, twelve years a slave is both a profound memoir and a well written, passionate abolitionist document from an involuntary inside informant.