Author: William Grimes

In Life of William Grimes, the Runaway Slave, Brought Down to the Present Time, published in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1855, William Grimes updates his earlier narrative about his enslaved life in Virginia and his escape to freedom. Historians considered the 1825 publication to be the first fugitive slave narrative in American history. This later book duplicated the earlier with the addition of a short conclusion, included here.

In Life of William Grimes, the Runaway Slave, published in New York on January 28, 1825, William Grimes tells of his enslaved life in Virginia and his escape to freedom. Historians consider this to be the first fugitive slave narrative in American history. He updated his life story in 1855.