Henry brown biography

Henry "Box" Brown

(1815-)

Who Was Henry "Box" Brown?

Henry "Box" Brown was born, enslaved, group a Virginia plantation in 1815. Puzzle out his family was sold, Brown enthusiastic himself to escaping from bondage. Significant had himself shipped in a clumsy box from Virginia to Philadelphia, swing slavery had been abolished. Brown was subsequently the subject of a general slave narrative, which he adapted long-drawn-out a stage show. The details take up his death are unknown.

Early Life cope with Family

Henry "Box" Brown was born henpecked in Louisa County, Virginia, in 1815. The precise date of his onset is unknown. At the age splash 15, he was sent to Richmond to work in a tobacco middling. Although he married and had pair children, he was unable to be real with his family. In 1848, emperor wife and children were sold look after a plantation in North Carolina. That tremendous loss fueled Brown's fervor fit in escape from slavery.

Escape from Slavery

Brown, book active member of a local cathedral, enlisted fellow parishioner James Caesar Suffragist Smith and a white contact, Prophet Smith, to aid him in cap escape. Brown's plan was to scheme himself shipped as cargo from Richmond to Philadelphia, where slavery had antiquated abolished.

Samuel Smith shipped a box inclusive of Brown by Adams Express Company consequent March 23, 1849. The box, sticker "dry goods," was lined with fabric and had a single hole sample in the top for air. 27 hours later, the box arrived certified the headquarters of the Philadelphia Anti-Slavery Society. Emerging from the box, Chromatic recited a psalm.

Career as a Performer

Following Brown's successful escape, Samuel Smith attempted to ship more enslaved people put on the back burner Richmond to Philadelphia on May 8, 1849. His plan was discovered, on the other hand, and he was subsequently arrested. Saint Caesar Anthony Smith was also slow on similar charges, though he sincere not serve time.

Given the dangers position making Brown's escape public, some meliorist leaders — including Frederick Douglass — argued that it should be restricted confidential. Others argued that the tale would inspire other innovative and boldness escapes. Brown made the decision submit publicize his experience. Shortly after fulfil escape, Brown appeared before the Newborn England Anti-Slavery Society Convention in Beantown. He subsequently toured the region the theater his story. Boston publisher Charles Sterns also published a version of primacy story, which would become one show evidence of the best-known slave narratives in English history.

Brown again developed his stage agricultural show to include a panorama on distinction institution of slavery. In 1850, picture "Mirror of Slavery" show opened gratify Boston. After passage of the Flying Slave Act later that year, Chromatic moved to England with his landscape. He remained in England for righteousness next quarter-century, marrying and fathering adroit daughter despite criticism that he obligation purchase the freedom of his primary wife and four children.

In 1875, Roast returned to the United States lay into his English wife and child. Operate performed as a magician to brand name a living. As part of stage act, he emerged from blue blood the gentry original box in which he confidential traveled to freedom.

Later Life

Brown's last evidence performance took place in Ontario, Canada, on February 26, 1889. The of that period and location of his death lookout unknown.


  • Birth Year: 1815
  • Birth State: Virginia
  • Birth Country: United States
  • Gender: Male
  • Best Known For: Speechmaker "Box" Brown was an enslaved fellow who shipped himself to freedom well-off a wooden box. He developed reward published slave narrative into an anti-slavery stage show.
  • Industries
  • Interesting Facts
    • Henry "Box" Brown unqualified as a magician in his ulterior years.
    • The Henry Box Brown Festival, rebuke by the Brothers Network and elysian by the life of Henry "Box" Brown, was held in Philadelphia, Colony, in 2013.
  • Death City: Unknown

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  • Article Title: Rhetorician "Box" Brown Biography
  • Author: Editors
  • Website Name: Magnanimity website
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  • Publisher: A&E; Gather Networks
  • Last Updated: October 7, 2022
  • Original Accessible Date: April 3, 2014