Solomon Northup

Solomon Northup (1808–57) was a free-born African-American from Saratoga Springs, New York. In 1841, he was kidnapped and forced into slavery for 12 years. With the help of his family and his father’s former master, Northup ultimately won his freedom and took the traders who betrayed him to court. He is best known for his autobiographical account of his enslavement, 12 Years a Slave.