William Wells Brown: A Brief Conclusion

 

William Wells Brown’s writing spanned five decades.  After escaping the hold of slavery at the age of twenty, Brown lived thought perhaps the most tumultuous time in American history, providing relevant commentary from a unique perspective.  Indeed, Brown’s experiences with slavery in his early years and his travels to Europe provided with a distinct view of race relations and slavery in America.  Regardless of one’s opinion on the merits of Brown’s writings, as Edward Coleman concludes, “his accomplishments represent one of the finest examples of courage, stamina, and growth in social understanding to be found in our history” (51).

1882: Two Writings After a Long Break

After a long hiatus from writing, I am ending my writing career with two more historical works that followed in the tradition of my previous writings.  Published in 1882, My Southern Home and The Rising Son, will likely be my final two works.

1866: Post Civil War America

In 1866 as a post-Civil War comment, I wrote The Negro in the Rebellion. This tells the story of the Negro in the fight for the union.

Black soldiers fought bravely and helped the Union During the Civil War

1864: Civil War and More Writings

The Civil War is underway. Although, this is a terrible time for the country, hopefully the end of slavery is near. Two Years ago, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, but there is still more work to be done in ensuring equal rights for the Negro in this country. In 1863 I wrote The Negro Man: His Antecedents, His Genius and His Achievements. I am proud of this work and time will prove that it is one of my finest. In this work I incorporate elements of African-American history into his arguments for freedom and equality.  The Negro Man, and its incorporation of historically based arguments, can be traced back to my 1855 pamphlet I wrote about revolutions in Haiti. Titled St. Domingo: Its Revolutions and Its Patriots, this early work was the first time I used historical writing as a way to argue for reform in America.  St. Domingo: Its Revolutions and Its Patriots was a warning to Americans as someone said in a review “that Negroes, like other human beings, not only desired freedom but would fight unto death to win and maintain it, and a reminder that a slave insurrection had actually succeeded” (Coleman 33).

Also, the Union Army has used a version of Clotel. The Army is distributing my book to troops in the field as a morale booster.  Hopefully, by reading my book the troops will be energized to fight against the evil practice of slavery.

I have been able to make a good career as a writer. I have been very fortunate.

 President Lincoln with Union soldier.

1855: Paris and Europe

In 1849 I went to Paris as a delegate to the Paris Peace Conference. The idea of going to Europe appealed to me. However, when the Fugitive Slave Law went into effect in 1850, fugitive slaves (as I was now considered) could be prosecuted even if they were apprehended in a free-state. So, in response to the law, having been sent to Paris as a delegate of the Paris Peace Conference in 1849 - I remained abroad in Europe until a British family bought my freedom in 1854. While overseas, I have written extensively and published several of his works. In 1852, drawing from my journeys in Europe, I published, Three Years in Europe: Or, Places I Have Seen and People I Have Met.  In this book I tried to include many descriptions of people I met in Europe, Cities I visited and other things of interest to me.  Also, in 1853 I published what I have been told is the first novel by an African American, Clotel, or, The President's Daughter: A Narrative of Slave Life in the United States.  Clotel is about the fictional daughters of Thomas Jefferson, and describes the horrors of slavery in a more story-like, and passionate way than my previous writings or lectures. Also in this novel, I appeal to the Christianity of Americans in my plea for the abolition of slavery.  I hope people can learn some valuable lessons from this book.

 Paris

1847: From Buffalo, NY to Boston,MA

It's been four years since I've last written here. I have been busy lecturing and working, as well as raising a family. I decided to move to Boston in order to pursue a career in writing. In fact, I have recently published my first major work, which I believe to be no small accomplishment for a man of my background.  It is called Narrative of William Wells Brown: A Fugitive Slave.  I hope this book furthers the abolitionist goals of my lectures, and reaches people I am unable to communicate with in person. To me, this is a logical transition from lecturer to author.  I hope this is the beginning of a long writing career, although I do hope that soon my subject will not have to be abolition.

1843: Abolition Lectures Begin

This year I have started have began career as a lecturer, working for the Western New York Anti-Slavery Society.  Buffalo is a good place to live.  It is in a good location, and from Buffalo I am able to travel throughout this area of America giving lectures in support of abolition.  Although I'm not always met with acceptance - some have even called me an "eloquent fugitive slave lecturer" - I must continue to do what I know is right.

From Cleveland to Buffalo

Buffalo, New York is just right for me; it is far enough North and provided an environment that is relatively nurturing to progressive ideas such as abolitionism and women's rights which I hope to become to be involved in. With freedom on my side, hopefully I am able to draw on my twenty years experience as a slave - where I witnessed slavery in all its ugliest aspects - along with progressive, northern thinking to involve myself in the abolition movement. I am married now and have started a family. Buffalo will be a good place to settle down.

Cleveland

Living in Cleveland has given me many opportunities that I otherwise would not have been afforded. Living in a large city has many advantages for a Negro.  The literature on abolition is abundant, and I have been able to read an ample amount of this.  I plan to begin lecturing and writing as well.  I have also met a woman in Cleveland who I will marry; her name is Elizabeth Schooner, or "Betsy."  The year is now 1835, and I have been in Cleveland for a year.  Before long I will have a family started with Elizabeth. My job on the Lake Erie steamboat is also fulfilling my needs to earn money and help ex-slaves. Things are going well for me, to say the least.

 This is the type of boat on which I work.

First Job & First Abolition Involvement

I have found a good job. Good in two ways: I am able to provide for myself, but also, the Lord has given me the opportunity to help slaves trying to make it North.  What I'm doing is helping slaves escape to Canada on the very boat that I'm working on.  I feel this is only the first of many involvements I will have in aiding slaves and helping my people, for now I know that my true purpose is to rid this great country of slavery and the evils of it.

Cleveland, Ohio: My New Home

I have made it to Cleveland, Ohio.  This is where I plan to stay for a while.

Wells Brown: A New Friendship and Identity

My journey north to Cleveland has not been an easy undertaking. Along the way, I've come into contact with some very generous people, notably Wells Brown.  He is a Quaker, and has given me a place to stay on during travels. I believe that I'll take his name, and now go by William Wells Brown.  My new freedom requires a new name.

Escape Route: The Rivers of Freedom

This is the route I took to gain my freedom. From Cairo, Illinois, I took the Ohio River north. It was a long, difficult journey.  Now my goal is to find a job.  To live free, I must find a way to earn a living. Hopefully, in the process, I'm able to help the abolition movement. I plan on making it to Cleveland, Ohio. I hear there's work there - on a steamboat, perhaps.

Escaped From Slavery: Age 20

William Wells Brown - On my third attempt, I finally escaped my master.  I used to live in Kentucky, but for a while - a good number of years, if I recall - I'd been a bit north of Saint Charles, Missouri. I lived and worked close to the river. In 1834 I was purchased a Captain Price.  I traveled the rivers with him. When Mr. Price and His family decided travel into the free states and told me that they would take me with them, I knew this would be my only opportunity to escape from slavery once and for all.  The first city we came to in a free state was Cairo, Illinois.  New Years was coming up and I knew this would be my only chance to obtain my freedom.  I escaped and am now in the free state, Ohio.