Other editions of book Running a Thousand Miles for Freedom: The Escape of William and Ellen Craft from Slavery

"Running a Thousand Miles for Freedom" is a written account by Ellen Craft and William Craft first published in 1860. Their book reached wide audiences in Great Britain and the United States and it represents one of the most compelling of the many slave narratives published before the American Civil War. Ellen (1826–1891) and William Craft (1824 - 1900) were slaves from Macon, Georgia in the United States who escaped to the North in December 1848 by traveling openly by train and steamboat, arriving in Philadelphia on Christmas Day.

William Craft (1824–1900) and Ellen Craft (1826–1891) were American slaves from Georgia who managed to escape to the North in 1848. Disguised as a white male painter (Ellen Craft) and servant (William Craft), they travelled openly by rail and river and arrived in Philadelphia on Christmas Day. Their exploit became well known and was covered widely in the press, which put their lives in danger and resulted in the pair moving to England, where they lived for almost twenty years and raised a family. First published in 1806, “Running a Thousand Miles for Freedom” contains their memoirs and represents one of the most influential slave narratives published prior to the Civil War. A fascinating and moving insight into the life and plight of American slaves not to be missed by those with an interest in American history. Read & Co. History is proudly republishing this classic memoir now in a new addition complete with an introductory chapter by Frederick Douglass.

This is a 19th century memoir written by a slave who escaped the South before the Civil War. Here's an excerpt from the intro:"Having heard while in Slavery that "God made of one blood all nations of men," and also that the American Declaration of Independence says, that "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these, are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness;" we could not understand by what right we were held as "chattels." Therefore, we felt perfectly justified in undertaking the dangerous and exciting task of "running a thousand miles" in order to obtain those rights which are so vividly set forth in the Declaration.I beg those who would know the particulars of our journey, to peruse these pages.This book is not intended as a full history of the life of my wife, nor of myself; but merely as an account of our escape; together with other matter which I hope may be the means of creating in some minds a deeper abhorrence of the sinful and abominable practice of enslaving and brutifying our fellow-creatures."

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