Home / Full timeline / The birth of Solomon Northup, who was born free, then tricked into slavery. He eventually regains his freedom.
The birth of Solomon Northup, who was born free, then tricked into slavery. He eventually regains his freedom.
1807 (Jul 10)
Northup was a born-free Black American man from New York who was tricked, drugged, and kidnapped by 2 men, then sold into slavery in Louisiana for 12 years, before regaining his freedom, thanks to the help of Samuel Bass, a Canadian carpenter and abolitionist. Solomon sued the men involved in his kidnapping and enslavement, but none received punishment, due to a Washington D.C. law prohibiting Black men from testifying against white people. He is well known for his co-written bestselling memoir, "12 Years A Slave", which was adapted and produced as a feature film in 2013, receiving 3 Academy Awards.