
"My Name Is Not Tom"
The Life of the Reverend Josiah Henson
Susan Cooke Soderberg(Author)
Georgetown University Press
Published on 2. April 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
248 pages
978-1-64712-610-0 (ISBN)
Description
The first biography to rescue the true story of Josiah Henson, restoring to history his role in the Underground Railroad
Josiah Henson led a fascinating life-from the plantation fields of Maryland to the Georgetown Market to the plantations of Kentucky to escaping to freedom in Canada to being introduced to the Queen in England. Born enslaved, Henson eventually escaped and became a respected minister and famed secular leader.
"My Name Is Not Tom" is a biography of Josiah Henson, the man catapulted into fame after Harriet Beecher Stowe noted that certain events in his life partially influenced the development of her fictional character Uncle Tom. While previous biographies have relied heavily on Henson's four autobiographies, which replicated the myth that he was the sole inspiration for Stowe's character, "My Name Is Not Tom" uses new primary source research to fill in the untold parts of his extraordinary life and examine his views of slavery and morality, which changed substantially over the course of his life.
Josiah Henson led a fascinating life-from the plantation fields of Maryland to the Georgetown Market to the plantations of Kentucky to escaping to freedom in Canada to being introduced to the Queen in England. Born enslaved, Henson eventually escaped and became a respected minister and famed secular leader.
"My Name Is Not Tom" is a biography of Josiah Henson, the man catapulted into fame after Harriet Beecher Stowe noted that certain events in his life partially influenced the development of her fictional character Uncle Tom. While previous biographies have relied heavily on Henson's four autobiographies, which replicated the myth that he was the sole inspiration for Stowe's character, "My Name Is Not Tom" uses new primary source research to fill in the untold parts of his extraordinary life and examine his views of slavery and morality, which changed substantially over the course of his life.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Washington, DC
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
Not illustrated
Dimensions
Height: 252 mm
Width: 179 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
485 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-64712-610-0 (9781647126100)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Susan Cooke Soderberg retired as a historian with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and has written several books on state and local history.
Content
Introduction
1. Born Enslaved
2. Growing Up Enslaved
3. Maimed and Adapting
4. Journey to Kentucky
5. The Cost of Freedom
6. Escape
7. Freedom in Canada
8. A New Dream
9. England
10. Discord at Home
11. New Directions
12. Royalty and Remembrance
Epilogue - Legacy
Appendix A - Josiah Henson Timeline
Appendix B - Josiah Henson's family
Appendix C - Josiah Henson's speeches
1. Born Enslaved
2. Growing Up Enslaved
3. Maimed and Adapting
4. Journey to Kentucky
5. The Cost of Freedom
6. Escape
7. Freedom in Canada
8. A New Dream
9. England
10. Discord at Home
11. New Directions
12. Royalty and Remembrance
Epilogue - Legacy
Appendix A - Josiah Henson Timeline
Appendix B - Josiah Henson's family
Appendix C - Josiah Henson's speeches