William Wells Brown., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Who was William Wells Brown?
William Wells Brown was born into enslavement in 1814. He lived in Kentucky on a farm owned by John Young. He worked as a field hand on the farm and other roles. This means he was able to describe lots of different experiences when he wrote and spoke about his life after he freed himself.[1]
He freed himself on New Year’s day in 1834. He was part of the Underground Railroad in Cleveland, helping fugitives from enslavement to get to Canada. He married and had a daughter.
In 1840 he travelled to the Caribbean to learn more about conditions there. He published his narrative and anti-slavery songs. He became friends with the recently escaped Ellen and William Craft, who also would later spend time in the Northeast.
Later he published Clotel, the first novel published by a Black American.
In 1853 his ‘freedom’ was bought by the Richardsons and others who donated to the cause and later Brown moved back to America.
Brown supported the Northern side in the American Civil War and even afterwards continued to campaign on issues he felt strongly about. He died in 1884.[2]
[1] WILLIAM WELLS BROWN., 2021. NARRATIVE OF WILLIAM W. BROWN, A FUGITIVE SLAVE. [S.l.]: ARCTURUS PUBLISHING. pg. 7.
[2] Greenspan, E., 2014. William Wells Brown. New York: Norton. Details taken from the chronology.
How else did he spread his message about enslavement?
William Wells Brown was a prolific writer. Apart from writing his narrative, which he republished several times he also wrote songs and poetry. He wrote the novel Clotel, and he wrote plays. As we have seen he used paintings in his talks which were on a huge canvas.
The Newcastle Guardian reported on one of his talks where he told his audience about it being outlawed to teach the enslaved to read, where the enslaved could be whipped and others fined for teaching.
As well as telling his audiences about his experiences, he would educate his audiences on the present situation. The Newcastle Guardian stated that Brown would not stop campaigning until, ‘The iron hand of slavery melted away, dop by drop, before the indignant hand of public opinion.[1]
[1] Newcastle Guardian, 1849. American Slavery Public Meeting in Newcastle. p.1.
Why did he have the name ‘Wells Brown’?
He was born William and had no surname. When a child, he was told that his name was changed as it sounded like a white boy who lived in his master’s house. His name was changed to Sandford.[1]
When Brown freed himself, he was helped by a white family. He decided to revert to his original name of William. As a mark of thanks, he decided to take the family’s name - Wells Brown.[2]
​
Click here to learn more about the importance of names.
[1] WILLIAM WELLS BROWN., 2021. NARRATIVE OF WILLIAM W. BROWN, A FUGITIVE SLAVE. [S.l.]: OTBEBOOKPUBLISHING.Pg 97.
[2] WILLIAM WELLS BROWN., 2021. NARRATIVE OF WILLIAM W. BROWN, A FUGITIVE SLAVE. [S.l.]: OTBEBOOKPUBLISHING.Pg 105
Central Hall, South Shields, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

When did he escape enslavement?
Brown tried lots of times to escape from enslavement. During his many attempts he used the North Star to guide towards the safer northern part of the USA. He finally made it on New Year's Day 1834 when he was working on a riverboat in Ohio.
​
What connections did he have with the Northeast?
In 1849 he sailed to England to begin a series of talks to persuade people of the evils of enslavement in the USA. He would do this for five years. During this time, he had a huge canvas created that had 24 pictures depicting slavery that were shown during his talks.
He was friends with the Richardson family who worked on the abolition of enslavement, who were part of a group that bought Brown’s freedom.
Wells Brown had recently been presented with a purse of 20 sovereigns, worth thousands today, on behalf of the ladies of Newcastle.[1]
Brown said of the Northeast, ‘In no place in the United Kingdom has the American Slave warmer friends than in Newcastle.’
[1] Woo, I. (2023) Master slave husband wife: An epic journey from slavery to freedom. London: Ithaka. P2274
Over to You!
How much do you know?
Take our William Wells Brown Quiz and see if you a North Star!
​
1. What year was William Wells Brown born?
2. Where was he born?
3. When did he free himself?
4. What was the name of his first novel?
5. When did he come to Britain?
6. How much was he given as a gift by the 'ladies of Newcastle'?
​
​
How did you do?
1-2 A Rising Star!
​
3-4 A Bright Star!
​
5-6 A North Star
History Detective challenge
Use this fantastic map made by Dr Hannah Rose Murray who mapped out where abolitionist speakers, including William Wells Brown campaigned.
​
-
Chose the Wells Brown appearances.
-
Zoom in to the area you live / go to school.
-
Where is the closest place to you?
-
Do you know this place? Is it still there?
Tell someone about what you have discovered!
Quiz Answers
1. 1814
2. Kentucky
3. New Years Day, 1834
4. Clotel
5. 1849
6. 20 Sovereigns