Master Slave Husband Wife

"Ilyon Woo’s Master Slave Husband Wife tells the incredible life stories of Ellen and William Craft, a married Black couple who escaped slavery in 1848 and disguised themselves as a disabled white man (Ellen) and his manservant (William). Together they fled Georgia for the North, became celebrities within the abolitionist movement but were later forced to flee the country after the imposition of the Fugitive Slave Act in 1850 left them vulnerable to kidnap by slave hunters. Master Slave Husband Wife is, the author reflected , full of “nailbiting” moments. “That’s the thing about the story of the Crafts. Even if you know the outcome, it’s incredibly suspenseful because of how the Crafts take ownership of seemingly impossible situations.”"

"This book tells the story of Ellen and William Craft, who staged a life-threatening escape from enslavement in Georgia in 1848 and spent the rest of their lives advocating for Black freedom. Never far from the slave hunter’s maw, the Crafts joined the abolition movement and made tremendous contributions both in the United States and in England, speaking alongside great activists such as Frederick Douglass. Ilyon Woo’s ability to weave the Crafts’ personal love story and their love of family, alongside their public speaking and travel epic, makes for a gripping read. Kudos to Woo, for bringing this courageous couple to light."

"Details of the history of 19th-century American slavery and the courage of those who suffered it and the inhuman vileness of those who were responsible for it. Read "Master Slave Husband Wife," by Ilyon Woo."