Solomon Northup was a prominent African American born free in New York but kidnapped and sold into slavery. He managed to regain his freedom after 12 years and became an abolitionist and author, most famously penning the memoir ‘Twelve Years a Slave.’
Who is Solomon Northup?
Solomon Northup is a famed 19th-century author who is known for his incredible memoir ‘Twelve Years a Slave.’ The book was published in 1853, soon after Northup was freed from slavery in the American South.
The book details his life in the time leading up to the moment he was kidnapped as well as what happened to him as he was taken to Louisiana and passed from master to master.
In 1841, he was lured to D.C. under the pretense that he was going to get a well-paying job as a musician, something he was quite talented at. Once there, he was drugged and kidnapped. Once taken to Louisiana, he’s given the name “Platt.”
His first master, William Prince Ford, was relatively humane but eventually sold him due to financial difficulties. Subsequent masters, such as John Tibaut and Edwin Epps, were notoriously cruel, subjecting him to harsh labor, physical abuse, and extremely poor living conditions.
Northup’s daily life consisted of grueling work, primarily in the cotton and sugar cane fields. He often worked from dawn till dusk, facing physical punishment for perceived shortcomings or insubordination.
After a chance encounter with a Canadian carpenter named Samuel Bass, Northup sent a letter to friends in the North. A legal process ensued involving the governor of New York, and Northup was finally liberated in January 1853; he published his memoir later that year.
Why is Solomon Northup Important?
There are several reasons that Solomon Northup is an important figure. These include:
- His first-hand experience with life as an enslaved individual in the United States during the mid-1800s.
- He wrote an incredibly important memoir that’s been read around the world and continues to be studied.
- The fact is that there are few to no first-hand detailed accounts of individuals being kidnapped into slavery.
- Northup attempted to bring his kidnappers to justice, although unsuccessfully.
- Northup’s life also provides a perspective on the life of free black individuals in the North before the Civil War.
- His courage, resilience, and determination continue to inspire readers and scholars.
- His memoir has continued to resonate and has been adapted into plays, documentaries, and, most notably, a critically acclaimed film.
How Did Solomon Northup Die?
Due to the time period and lack of records, no one is quite sure how Solomon Northup died. What happened to him in the years after he regained his freedom is generally obscured.
Terrifyingly, some researchers believe he might have been kidnapped again. But, others have disputed this suggestion, saying that he would’ve been too old to be of interest to the slave traders of the time. Most scholars believe that he died in poverty or obscurity.
Despite various investigations, there is no conclusive evidence to definitively explain his disappearance or death. His life, struggle, and contributions to American history remain well-documented, but the mystery of his death adds an enigmatic dimension to his legacy.
Solomon Northup Legacy
Solomon Northup’s legacy extends across literature, education, film, and social awareness. His memoir is one of the most detailed and authentic accounts of slavery from a firsthand perspective. It continues to be studied in educational institutions and has played an influential role in historical and cultural studies of slavery.
The 2013 film adaptation directed by Steve McQueen brought Northup’s story to a broader global audience. It gained significant acclaim when it was released.
Today, Northup is regarded as having influenced a variety of writers and activists, as well.
