Auteur: Edwin W. Fuller

Ellen Craft (1826 – 1891) was an extraordinary figure in American history, known for her daring escape from slavery and subsequent activism. Born into enslavement in Clinton, Georgia, Craft possessed a light complexion that would later play a key role in her and her husband William »s audacious flight to freedom. In their book « Running a Thousand Miles for Freedom » (1860), the Crafts recount the thrilling tale of Ellen »s disguise as a white male planter, with William posing as her slave, as they journeyed from the Deep South to Philadelphia. The narrative not only captivated audiences but also served as a potent testament to the indomitability of the human spirit in the face of oppression. It has since been lauded for its detailed depiction of the Crafts » cunning and courage, and it remains a seminal work in slave narrative literature. Ellen »s literary style is marked by clarity and a straightforward recounting of events, which enhances the dramatic tension of their escape and foregrounds the stark realities of slavery. The text is a cornerstone in studies of antebellum literature and resonates in the broader context of American autobiographical tradition and the struggle for civil rights.