Austin Steward (1793-1869) was an African-American author and
abolitionist. Born into slavery, he managed to escape from Virginia aged
21 and moved to Rochester, New York before settling in Canada.
"Twenty-Two Years a Slave - And Forty Years a Freeman" is Steward's
astonishing 1856 autobiography within which he recounts the travails of
his harrowing life as a slave in America, as well as his experiences as
a free man. A compelling and heart-breaking slave narrative that will
appeal to those with an interest in this dark chapter of American
history. Contents include: "Slave Life on the Plantation", "At the Great
House", "Horse-Racing and its Consequences", "Journey to our New Home in
New York", "Incidents at Sodus Bay", "Removal from Sodus to Bath",
"Dueling", "Horse-Racing and General Training", "Death Bed and Bridal
Scenes", "Hired out to a New Master", etc. Read & Co. History is proud
to be republishing this classic memoir now in a new edition with an
introductory poem by Phillis Wheatley.