Slave Narratives

An Autobiography of the Rev. Josiah Henson ('Uncle Tom')

Autobiography published in 1881 by ex-fugitive slave Josiah Henson, reportedly the inspiration for the fictional character Uncle Tom; with prefaces by Harriet Beecher Stowe, Wendell Phillips, and others. Digitized by Documenting the American South, University of North Carolina.

The Blind African Slave, Or Memoirs of Boyrereau Brinch, Nicknamed Jeffrey Brace

A narrative published in 1810 on the life of Jeffrey Brace, born in Mali, transported as a slave to Barbados and New England, and residing in Vermont. Digitized by Documenting the American South, University of North Carolina.

Contemporary Slave Narratives

A collection of contemporary global slave narratives. Provided to the Antislavery Literature Project courtesy of Kevin Bales (Free the Slaves) and Zoe Trodd (Harvard University).

From Slavery to the Bishopric in the A.M.E. Church: An Autobiography

Bishop William Henry Heard's autobiography of his youth as a slave in Georgia and life in the African Methodist Episcopal Church (Philadelphia: AME Book Concern, 1928). Digitized by Documenting the American South, University of North Carolina.

The Life, Experience, and Gospel Labours of the Rt. Rev. Richard Allen. To Which is Annexed the Rise and Progress of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States of America. Containing a Narrative of the Yellow Fever in the Year of Our Lord 1793: With an Address to the People of Colour in the United States

Major early African American text by Philadelphia minister Richard Allen, a founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (Philadelphia: Martin & Boden, 1833). Digitized by Documenting the American South, University of North Carolina.

Memoirs of Boston King, a Black Preacher

Autobiographical memoir of Boston King, a fugitive slave from South Carolina who became a teacher and minister in Sierra Leone, serialized in 1798 in The Methodist Magazine.

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

Electronic Teaching Edition of Douglass' 1845 classic narrative, with links to online resources; created by the Antislavery Literature Project (2005).

North American Slave Narratives

The best available collection of US slave narratives. Digitized by Documenting the American South, University of North Carolina.

Thirty Years a Slave

Narrative of the life and escape of Virginia slave Louis Hughes. Digitized by the Gutenberg Project.

Voices from the Days of Slavery

A collection of seven hours of oral narratives from twenty-three former slaves, recorded beginning 1932. From the American Memory Collection at the Library of Congress.