The Life of Josiah Henson, Formerly a Slave as Narrated by Himself

Josiah Henson was an American-Canadian writer, abolitionist, clergyman, and social activist. The following memoirs were written under the dictation of Josiah Henson. An excerpt from the story was recounted, which, when it was written, was read to him so that any errors in the statement he could correct. Therefore, its essence, facts, reflections and very often words belong to it, and little more than the structure of sentences belongs to another. The narrative in this form inevitably loses its appeal, which stems from the serious manner, the natural eloquence of a person telling a story that deeply interests him. But the hope is that there will be enough left to reward a careful reading, and that the character of this person and the striking nature of the events in his life will be seen as justification for trying to make them more widely known. History has the advantage that it is not fiction, but fact, and those who carefully study its lessons will find the teachings fruitful.