The Tortoise Website

The Tortoise Website
Click on image to go to Author website. "THE RACE IS NOT TO THE SWIFT." Eccl. 9:11

Tuesday 21 November 2017

Search Online Slavery Biography Sites

By Laura Carter


You'd think that slaves would be the last people to influence society. However, many enslaved people have made a difference. Americans automatically think of black slaves before emancipation, but there have been slaves all over the world and all throughout history. Find out about well-known figures at online slavery biography sites.

When it comes to biographies, the internet is a great resource. There are sites devoted to the life stories of people, many of whom are known through their autobiographies or through stories about them recorded by newspapers or historians. Researching significant periods in history by interviewing those who lived through them has been popular with students and social scientists.

Many of the best known slaves were in ancient times, before America was even 'discovered'. Aesop, the author of the fables most children read, was a slave. Spartacus was a gladiator, and a slave, who led a slave revolt against Rome. Saint Patrick, slayer of the dragon, was an English boy captured by raiders and enslaved in Ireland. He later escaped back to England, returned to Ireland as a missionary, and converted the country to Christianity.

Moses was born a slave in ancient Egypt, although he was raised in Pharoah's household. He discovered he was a Hebrew, defended one of his people against an Egyptian overseer (unfortunately killing the man) and ran away to a far country. God called him back to the country of his enslavement to free his people and lead them to the Promised Land. We have his biography - some of it written by him - in the Bible.

It's easy to search online for brief accounts of slaves that have impacted history. After reading the short biographical notes online, those who want more information can look for autobiographies, collections of letters, or records of speeches that may have brought the person into prominence.

Dred Scott sued for his freedom and that of his family. Although he was unsuccessful, public opinion was on his side and this helped further the cause of emancipation for all blacks. A young slave named Celia killed her abusive master and was tried for his murder. Margaret Garner, a slave who escaped with her husband and children, was tried for the murder of her young daughter, whom she killed during their recapture. She preferred to see her children dead than returned as slaves.

Other dramatic stories based on true events chronicle captures, enslavement, and escapes or rescues on the American frontier. Ann Calhoun was four when she was taken by the Cherokee and seven when she was rescued. There are many records of captives, often white but also black, and of their endurance under slavery or while making their way back to their homes and people.

Some of the most poignant accounts are told by the people themselves, like the 'Ain't I a woman?' speech given by Sojourner Truth, a former New York slave who became an ardent abolitionist. Frederick Douglas, an escaped slave from Maryland who became a writer, orator, and civil servant, was one of the most prominent voices for social reform - the end of slavery, women's rights, and fair treatment of Irish immigrants. The contribution to our culture made by slaves throughout the ages is remarkable.




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