Solomon Northup
Solomon Northup: A Life of Resilience and Courage
Full Name and Common Aliases
Solomon Northup was born into slavery in Minerva, New York, around 1808. He went by several names throughout his life, including Platt, which he used as a pseudonym during his time in the North.
Birth and Death Dates
Northup's exact birthdate is unknown, but it is estimated to be around 1808. He died on March 26, 1863, at the age of approximately 54 or 55.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Northup was an American, born into slavery in New York. His profession varied throughout his life, including work as a carpenter, farmer, and musician.
Early Life and Background
Solomon Northup's early life is well-documented in his memoirs. Born to a free black woman, Margaret Morton, and a slave father, he was raised by his mother in the North. He grew up in a time of great social change, with the abolitionist movement gaining momentum across the United States.
Northup's early life was marked by both freedom and hardship. As a young man, he worked as a carpenter and farmer, eventually marrying Anne Hampton, an enslaved woman from Saratoga Springs. The couple had three children together before Northup's life took a devastating turn.
Major Accomplishments
In 1841, Northup's world was turned upside down when he was kidnapped in Washington, D.C., and sold into slavery. He was taken to the South, where he spent the next 12 years as a slave on various plantations in Louisiana.
During his time in captivity, Northup never lost hope of regaining his freedom. He used his skills as a carpenter and musician to survive, often finding ways to ingratiate himself with his enslavers. His determination and resourcefulness ultimately led to his rescue in 1853.
Notable Works or Actions
Northup's most notable work is his memoir, "12 Years a Slave," which was published in 1853. The book details his experiences as a slave, from his kidnapping to his eventual rescue. It is considered one of the most important and influential accounts of slavery in American literature.
Impact and Legacy
Solomon Northup's life had a profound impact on the abolitionist movement. His memoir exposed the brutal realities of slavery, shedding light on the cruel treatment of enslaved people in the South. The book was widely read and helped to galvanize public opinion against slavery.
Today, Northup is remembered as a hero and a symbol of resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship. His story has inspired countless books, films, and documentaries, including Steve McQueen's Oscar-winning film "12 Years a Slave."
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Solomon Northup is widely quoted and remembered for his courage, determination, and unwavering commitment to freedom. His memoir provides a powerful testament to the human spirit, demonstrating that even in the darkest of times, hope can endure.
As a slave who never lost sight of his goal, Northup's story serves as a reminder of the importance of perseverance and resistance in the face of oppression. His legacy continues to inspire people around the world, making him one of the most important figures in American history.
Quotes by Solomon Northup
Solomon Northup's insights on:
Still he plied the lash without stint upon my poor body, until it seemed that the lacerated flesh was stripped from my bones at every stroke. A man with a particle of mercy in his soul would not have beaten even a dog so cruelly.
The flesh of the coon is palatable, but verily there is nothing in all butcherdom so delicious as a roasted ’possum.
A man with a particle of mercy in his soul would not have beaten even a dog so cruelly.
They are deceived who flatter themselves that the ignorant and debased slave has no conception of the magnitude of his wrongs. They are deceived who imagine that he arises from his knees, with back lacerated and bleeding, cherishing only a spirit of meekness and forgiveness. A day may come – it will come, if his prayer is heard – a terrible day of vengeance when the master in his turn will cry in vain for mercy.
The child is father to the man,” and with such training, whatever may be his natural disposition, it cannot well be otherwise than that, on arriving at maturity, the sufferings and miseries of the slave will be looked upon with entire indifference.
It is not the fault of the slaveholder that he is cruel, so much as it is the fault of the system under which he lives. He cannot withstand the influence of habit and associations that surround him. Taught from earliest childhood, by all that he sees and hears that the rod is for the slave’s back, he will not be apt to change his opinions in maturer years.
It is not the fault of the slaveholder that he is cruel, so much as it is the fault of the system under which he lives. He cannot withstand the influence of habit and associations that surround him.
Strange as it may seem, within plain sight of this same house, looking down from its commanding height upon it, was the Capitol. The voices of patriotic representatives boasting of freedom and equality, and the rattling of the poor slave’s chains, almost commingled. A slave pen within the very shadow of the Capitol!