Master Slave Husband Wife: An epic journey from slavery to freedom

The incredible true story of Ellen and William Craft, who escaped slavery in the South and made their way to the UK, Africa, and beyond, is recounted in Master Slave Husband Wife. They achieved this by posing as master and slave, dodging slave traders, military officers, and friends of their enslavers, and becoming celebrities.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 22 June 2023
Publisher: Bonnier Books Ltd

The incredible true story of a couple that escaped slavery in the South and eventually made their way to the UK, Africa, and beyond is presented in this text. The remarkable true story of Ellen and William Craft, who escaped slavery through daring, determination, and disguise, with Ellen passing as a wealthy, disabled White man and William posing as his slave, is recounted in this text.

In 1848, a year of international democratic revolt, a young, enslaved couple, Ellen and William Craft, achieved one of the boldest feats of self-emancipation in history. Posing as master and slave, while sustained by their love as husband and wife, they made their escape together across more than 1,000 miles, riding steamboats, carriages, and trains that took them from bondage in Georgia to the free states of the North.

Along the way, they dodged slave traders, military officers, and even friends of their enslavers, who might have revealed their true identities. The tale of their adventure soon made them celebrities, and generated headlines around the country. Audiences could not get enough of this charismatic young couple, who traveled the country drawing thunderous applause as they spoke alongside some of the greatest abolitionists of the day.

But even then, they were not out of danger. With the passage of an infamous new Fugitive Slave Act in 1850, all Americans became accountable for returning refugees like the Crafts to slavery. Then yet another adventure began, as the Crafts fled to England to embark upon a new life.

With three epic journeys compressed into one monumental bid for freedom, Master Slave Husband Wife recounts both a ground-breaking quest for liberty and justice, and an unforgettable love story.

Weight: 528g
Dimension: 154 x 235 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781804183632