Solomon Northup, a free man born in New York, had his life drastically altered when he was drugged and kidnapped in Washington, D.C. in 1841. He was subsequently sold into slavery, and his journey took him to New Orleans where he was sold again into further slavery.
As a slave, Northup eventually crossed paths with a Canadian abolitionist who, after learning of his situation, was able to notify his family of his whereabouts. This crucial connection ultimately led to his freedom in 1853, following the intervention of an official agent of the state of New York.
Despite being freed, Northup's ordeal was far from over. He filed charges against his kidnappers, but after a lengthy and arduous trial, the charges were ultimately dropped due to legal technicalities, leaving Northup uncompensated for his years in slavery.
Solomon Northup's remarkable story was orally shared with a New York legislator, David Wilson, who went on to publish it in a book titled "12 Years A Slave". This publication, released just a year after Northup's freedom, was a huge success, selling over 30,000 copies.
Tragically, Solomon Northup's life came to an end in 1863, leaving behind a legacy that would continue to captivate readers for generations to come.
