Introduction
Welcome to George Moses Horton's (1798-1883) page.
Nicknamed "the Colored Bard of North Carolina," Horton was the first American slave to publish a book in the South (1829); the only slave to publish two volumes of poetry while in bondage (Hope of Liberty, 1829 and The Poetical Works, 1845), and the first American slave to protest his bondage in verse.
All these accomplishments brought him fame, though not freedom before the end of the Civil War. Today his work is available in digital form thanks to UNC Documenting the American South (DAS) archive.
WHO WAS HE?
IN THE POET'S WORKSHOP:
Despite its Horton's lack of formal instruction, his poetry displays a remarkable mastery of a wide range of styles, subjects matters, and, most importantly the emergence of an original, deeply personal poetic voice.
To illustrate his artisan touch on delicate topics such as farewells to beloved ladies, whom Horton's sponsoring patrons must have seen as desirable life partners, we invite you in Horton's workshop to witness the transformation of the 1829, "To Eliza" into the 1865, "Farewell to Frances" in light of their intertextual dialogue with Byron's 1816 "Fare Thee Well" from which Horton cites the first two lines.
Horton's "To Eliza" versus Byron's "Fare Thee Well" .
Discussion of "Introduction"
Add your voice to this discussion.
Checking your signed in status ...