Harriet Ann Jacobs

"Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl," which was first published in 1861, was one of the first slave narratives penned by a woman. The book tells the story of Harriet Jacobs (1813-1897), a slave from North Carolina who suffered greatly (along with her family) at the hands of her ruthless owner. After several failed attempts to escape, Harriet eventually made her way north. Her journey, which involved years of hiding, was incredibly slow. She did...