Solomon Northup Facts

His twelve years of slavery are well-detailed in the memoir. This includes the events leading up to the kidnapping, his imprisonment in the South, and his escape. The book provides a detailed insight into the daily lives, brutal conditions, and inhuman treatment that enslaved individuals faced. But, there are events of his life that are missing, including how he passed away. 

The details of his later life and death remain unclear, leading to various theories and speculations. There’s no definitive information about how or when he died; some have even suggested that he was kidnapped again (although historians say this is unlikely). 

He was born a free man. 

Solomon Northup was born to a freed slave father in Minerva, New York. Growing up in a free state, he was educated and led a relatively comfortable life for his time.

Solomon was deeply devoted to his family. His wife Anne worked as a cook at several upscale hotels, and they led a prosperous life in Saratoga Springs, New York. The separation from his family during his years in slavery was a source of anguish.

He was married. 

Not much is known about Solomon Northup’s life before and after his kidnapping, but scholars do know that he was married. His wife, Anne Hampton, was the mother of his three children, and throughout his kidnapping, he was desperate to get back to her. 

When she received his letter indicating his location and circumstances, she made it possible for him to make his way back to freedom. 

But, he soon learned that during his 12-year absence, he had remarried.

Solomon Northup was kidnapped into slavery.

In 1841, he was deceived by two men who offered him a job as a musician in Washington, D.C. Upon arriving; he was drugged, kidnapped, and sold into slavery in the South. He labored on plantations in Louisiana for 12 years under several masters.

He was a talented violinist. 

Northup was a skilled violinist, and his musical talents were often put to use by his various masters during his time in slavery. His ability to play the violin also led to his kidnapping, as he was offered a job that turned out to be a trap.

He only wrote one book. 

His memoir, ‘Twelve Years a Slave’ is his only book. Northup published his memoir in 1853. The book provided a harrowing account of his life in slavery and became a bestseller, contributing to the abolitionist movement.

He worked as an activist before his death. 

After returning to the North, Northup attempted to prosecute the men who had kidnapped him but was hindered by legal obstacles. Despite this, he became an active member of the abolitionist movement, traveling and giving lectures about his experiences.

Inspired by his own experiences, Northup dedicated himself to assisting others in escaping slavery. His firsthand knowledge of the South’s plantation system likely made him an invaluable asset to the Underground Railroad.

The circumstances of his death are unknown. 

The details of Northup’s death are unclear. Some sources suggest he may have been kidnapped again, while others believe he died in obscurity. The lack of concrete evidence has led to various theories and speculations about the final years of his life.

His memoir was adapted into a film. 

Northup’s memoir ‘Twelve Years a Slave’ has been adapted into several works, including the 2013 film directed by Steve McQueen. It won the Academy Award for Best Picture. 

Northup’s life was portrayed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, and other actors in the production included Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Sarah Paulson, and Brad Pitt.

The film sparked renewed interest in Solomon Northup’s story and contributed to broader conversations about race, slavery, and history in the United States. It was widely praised for its unflinching depiction of the horrors of slavery. 

FAQs