William Wells Brown

A travelling exhibition exploring the life of the African American anti-slavery activist, orator and writer, William Wells Brown.

                                                                       

William made a daring escape from enslavement, aged twenty. For many years he helped others escape, acting as a conductor on the Underground Railroad and working as a speaker for American anti-slavery societies.  After gaining a reputation as a brilliant orator, he was asked to tour Europe giving abolitionist lectures.

Brown lived in the UK from 1849-1854, sometimes staying in Newcastle of which he wrote…"In no place in the United Kingdom has the American Slave warmer friends than in Newcastle.”

In England he wrote the first African American novel (Clotel, 1853).

This exhibition works as an introduction to Transatlantic Enslavement. It can be used as a prompt for discussions about equality, diversity, and inclusion as well as oracy skills.

Aimed at upper key stage 2 and key stage 3 audience, the trunk includes interpretation labels, a key dates timeline, guidance on language and supplementary notes for teachers and facilitators.

It is recommended that the objects in the trunk are carefully displayed and not used for object handling. However the copied paper documents can be handled by participants.

*Please note the trunk contains shackles. These can be removed from the display at the discretion of the facilitator.

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