Narrative of My Escape from Slavery

Published in 1838, Moses Roper's autobiography ranks among the most important and authentic accounts of life in slavery. The North Carolina native was separated from his mother at the age of six, and sold or traded many times to plantation owners throughout the South. His numerous attempts at escape finally met with success in 1833, when the 18-year-old jumped ship and fled to New England, where he began his affiliation with the abolitionist movement. Roper delivered numerous lectures on his slave experiences, impressing listeners with his articulate and moving reminiscences. His memoir richly resounds with the qualities that made him a popular speaker, offering readers a powerful first-hand account of the horrific realities of life in slavery. Introduction.