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Pages Through History

Master, Slave, Husband, Wife

The extraordinary true story of Ellen and William Craft, who escaped slavery through daring, determination, and disguise.

Just before Christmas in 1848, a “Mr. Johnson” boarded a train in Macon, GA. With him was an enslaved attendant upon whom the obviously sickly young gentleman–his features obscured by bandages and tinted spectacles–seemed to rely for his every need. Ellen and William Craft were headed north.

Master, Slave, Husband, Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom tells the story of the Crafts’ nerve-wracking feat of deception, and of the months and years that followed, when they became part of a movement that recognized how dramatic accounts like theirs could help turn public opinion against slavery. The days when it had seemed the United States might “endure permanently half slave and half free” were coming to an end.

Find Master, Slave, Husband, Wife in the library catalog.

This is a hybrid event with the option to participate in person or on Zoom. Online participants will receive the Zoom link in their confirmation email.

If you have questions about this event after registration has closed, please email the events team or call the library at 847-673-7774.

Limited to 24 in-person participants.

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