The Underground Railroad from Slavery to Freedom

by Wilbur Henry Siebert

This pioneering work was the first documented survey of a system that helped fugitive slaves escape from areas in the antebellum South to regions as far north as Canada. Comprising fifty years of research, the text includes interviews and excerpts from diaries, letters, biographies, memoirs, speeches, and other firsthand accounts.

Genres: History, American History, Nonfiction

Library Binding

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Educator and historian

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilbur_...

Reviews

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond fascinating. The author, a professor at Ohio State University, published this history in 1898. He did a thorough literature review, then conducted interviews of participants in the underground railroad (U.G.R.R.). Not surprisingly many were elderly and he acted just in time to preserve their first person observations. There is a wealth of detail, which is valuable from a historical perspective. The indices include texts of the various fugitive slave acts, lists, county by county, of participants, bibliography and more. The chapter names give a picture of the breadth of coverage: sources, origin and growth of U.G.R.R., methods, agents or conductors, maps, abduction of slaves from the south, life of Canadian refugees, life of fugitives in the north, prosecutions of U.G.R.R. men, politics, and the effect of the U.G.R.R.

With the many names and places chronicled, this would be a source for geneaologists as well as historians.

I learned of the book from the bibliography of The Last Runaway, by Tracy Chevalier.

[Mark Henson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good historical document based on first hand accounts. It is well written and easy to read. My third Great Grandfather James Glenn is listed in the appendix as an operator on the Underground Railroad in Gallia County, Ohio. The stories are inspiring as people risked their lives and property to add their fellow human beings in getting to freedom. It's a good parable for the current times as politicians and citizens demonize people asking for sanctuary at the border saying they are coming here to poison our blood. I find the current situation so sad. Every generation their are good people that dedicate themselves to building a just inclusive world.

[SDAntoNia · Rating 3 out of 5]

cited on p. 54 of Harold, "Subversives", 2003 wrt Nov. 1841 escape from William's Slave Penn on Maryland Ave

[Tschera · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written in 1898 and the copy I read is well used and falling apart. I hope that it is being preserved!

Siebert states in the preface, "In weighing the testimony amassed, the author has had the advantage of personal acquaintance with many of those furnishing information; and the internal evidence of letters has been considered in estimating the worth of written testimony. Doubtless the work could have been more thoroughly executed, if the collection of materials had been systematically undertaken by some one a decade or two earlier. It is certain that it could not have been postponed to a later period." I found it fascinating because of his correspondence and interviews and his extensive use of contemporary and primary sources. The book is scholarly and very readable, all 478 pages of it!

[Jessica Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

The good, the not so well behaved, and the ugly

This book is well researched, at least as well researched as any book on a secret society can be. The author is also candid about the gaps in his research. He gives a balanced report on the sectional actions after 1850 as well as covering the various view points leading up to the civil War. Believe it or not, this is rare in history books written in the latter half of the 19th century. Hurrah for research!

[Jennifer M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and seems to be well researched. I learned a lot from this and it made me curious about my family's possible involvement in the Railroad as names and places are mentioned that may connect my family. That's when history is at it's best for me.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative. Nice to read someone who was able to use so many primary sources of those from the Underground Railroad. Very, very detailed. Good for researchers.

[Pashya]

how slaves got out back in the days