Pengarang: active 1602 Hayes Edward

Austin Steward (1793-1869) was an African American abolitionist, author, and social reformer. Born into slavery in Prince William County, Virginia, Steward gained his freedom at the age of 21 and later moved to Rochester, New York, where he became a successful businessman and a leader within the African American community. His advocacy for educational and economic self-sufficiency among African Americans was central to his work and philosophy. Steward penned his autobiography, “Twenty-Two Years a Slave, and Forty Years a Freeman” (1857), which provided a detailed narrative of his life from his time in bondage to his liberation and efforts as a free man. In his book, he gives a vivid and insightful account of the harsh realities of slavery and the struggles he faced post-emancipation, offering a valuable historical perspective on the antebellum era and the early abolitionist movement. A testament to his resilience and dedication to progress, Steward”s literary style is clear and poignant, as he articulates the injustices of slavery while engaging with broader themes of human rights and dignity. His autobiography remains an important contribution to the genre of slave narratives and is often referenced for its historical significance and eloquence in shedding light on the experiences of enslaved and free African Americans in the 19th century.