# Solomon Northup

> free-born African American kidnapped by slave-traders

**Wikidata**: [Q3489578](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3489578)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomon_Northup)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/solomon-northup

## Summary
Solomon Northup was a free-born African American man from the United States who was kidnapped by slave-traders in the 19th century. He is best known for his autobiography, *Twelve Years a Slave*, which documented his harrowing experience of being enslaved after living as a free man in New York. His story became a powerful testament to the brutality of slavery and remains a significant historical account.

## Biography
- **Born**: July 10, 1808 (or 1808, exact date uncertain)
- **Nationality**: American
- **Occupation(s)**: Farmer, violinist, writer
- **Known for**: Being kidnapped into slavery and later authoring *Twelve Years a Slave*
- **Field(s)**: Agriculture, music, literature

## Contributions
Solomon Northup's most significant contribution is his autobiography, *Twelve Years a Slave*, published in 1853. The book provides a firsthand account of his life as a free man, his kidnapping, and his subsequent enslavement for twelve years in Louisiana. The narrative details the cruelty of the slave system and the resilience of those enslaved, offering a critical perspective on American slavery. The book became an influential anti-slavery text and remains a key historical document.

## FAQs
**What happened to Solomon Northup?**
Solomon Northup was a free African American man living in New York who was deceived, kidnapped, and sold into slavery in 1841. He endured twelve years of enslavement in Louisiana before regaining his freedom in 1853.

**What is Solomon Northup best known for?**
He is best known for his autobiography, *Twelve Years a Slave*, which recounts his kidnapping, enslavement, and eventual liberation. The book became a powerful abolitionist tool and remains a significant historical account of slavery in the United States.

**What was Solomon Northup's occupation before his kidnapping?**
Before his kidnapping, Northup worked as a farmer and a skilled violinist in New York. His musical talent was noted in his autobiography, where he described playing the violin at social gatherings.

**When was Solomon Northup born and when did he die?**
Solomon Northup was born on July 10, 1808 (or simply in 1808, as exact records are unclear). He died sometime around 1864, though the exact date and circumstances of his death are not well-documented.

## Why They Matter
Solomon Northup's story is a critical testament to the injustices of slavery in the United States. His autobiography, *Twelve Years a Slave*, provided a detailed and personal account of the slave system, exposing its brutality to a wider audience. The book contributed to the abolitionist movement and remains an essential historical document. Northup's narrative humanized the experience of enslaved people, challenging the dehumanizing narratives that justified slavery. His work continues to be studied for its historical significance and its impact on the understanding of American slavery.

## Notable For
- Authoring *Twelve Years a Slave*, a seminal autobiography on slavery.
- Being a free-born African American who was kidnapped and enslaved.
- Providing a firsthand account of the slave system in the antebellum South.
- Contributing to the abolitionist movement through his written work.
- His story being adapted into a critically acclaimed film in 2013.

## Body
### Early Life
Solomon Northup was born on July 10, 1808, in Minerva, New York. He was born free, as his father, Mintus Northup, had been emancipated by his former owner. Northup grew up in a family that valued education and hard work. He married Anne Hampton in 1829, and the couple had three children. Northup worked as a farmer and a violinist, performing at local events and gatherings. His life as a free man in New York stood in stark contrast to the fate that awaited him.

### Kidnapping and Enslavement
In 1841, Northup was deceived by two men who offered him a job as a musician in Washington, D.C. Once there, he was drugged, kidnapped, and sold into slavery. He was transported to Louisiana, where he was given the name "Platt" and forced to work on plantations. For twelve years, Northup endured the harsh realities of slavery, including physical abuse, backbreaking labor, and the constant threat of violence. His autobiography details the cruelty of his enslavers and the resilience of those he encountered.

### Liberation and Autobiography
In 1853, Northup regained his freedom after a chance encounter with a Canadian carpenter who helped him send a letter to his family in New York. With the assistance of friends and legal advocates, Northup was able to prove his free status and return to his family. Shortly after his liberation, he published *Twelve Years a Slave*, a detailed account of his experiences. The book became a bestseller and was widely read by abolitionists and others opposed to slavery. Northup's narrative provided a powerful indictment of the slave system and contributed to the growing movement to abolish slavery in the United States.

### Later Life and Legacy
After regaining his freedom, Northup became an active speaker in the abolitionist movement, sharing his story to raise awareness about the horrors of slavery. However, details about his later life are scarce. He is believed to have died around 1864, though the exact circumstances of his death remain unknown. Northup's autobiography has endured as a significant historical document, offering a firsthand perspective on slavery. In 2013, his story was adapted into a critically acclaimed film, *12 Years a Slave*, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. The film brought renewed attention to Northup's life and the broader history of slavery in America.

### Impact on Abolitionism
Northup's *Twelve Years a Slave* played a crucial role in the abolitionist movement. The book's vivid descriptions of the slave system helped to galvanize public opinion against slavery. It was widely circulated and read by prominent abolitionists, including Frederick Douglass and Harriet Beecher Stowe. Northup's narrative complemented other abolitionist literature, such as Stowe's *Uncle Tom's Cabin*, by providing a firsthand account of the institution's brutality. His work remains an essential resource for understanding the lived experiences of enslaved people and the broader struggle for freedom and equality in the United States.

## References

1. Biographical Dictionary of Afro-American and African Musicians
2. BnF authorities
3. Integrated Authority File
4. BlackPast.org
5. International Standard Name Identifier
6. [BnF authorities](http://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb12628633f)
7. Project Gutenberg
8. CONOR.SI
9. NUKAT
10. Korean Authority File
11. National Library of Portugal
12. MAK
13. SNAC
14. Northup, Solomon (July 1808–1863?), author
15. Virtual International Authority File
16. BBC Things
17. CERL Thesaurus
18. Goodreads
19. The Movie Database