William Grimes was not only a slave, but the probable author of the first unedited, autobiographical slave narrative in American history- The Life of William Grimes, the Runaway Slave, in 1855.
In his book, Grimes details life as a slave in great detail, as well as his escape and life after slavery, and commentary on the contradictions he saw between the institution of slavery and American ideals like liberty and equality for all.
Two hundred years later, his descendent Regina Mason revives his narrative in an annotated book, and upcoming film.
- Listen to this interview on KALW here.
* Thanks to KALW’s David LaTulippe, who read passages from the book in the above story
