William Craft
Biography
William Craft (1824–1900) was an African American abolitionist and author who, with his wife Ellen, executed one of the most daring escapes from slavery in American history. Born into slavery in Macon, Georgia, William and the light-skinned Ellen devised an audacious plan: Ellen disguised herself as a white male slaveholder, and William posed as her enslaved servant. They traveled by train and steamship from Georgia to Philadelphia in December 1848. Their account, Running a Thousand Miles for Freedom (1860), became a powerful abolitionist document.
Common themes in William Craft's work
American slavery
A recurring theme throughout William Craft's writing.
Escape narrative
A recurring theme throughout William Craft's writing.
Abolitionism
A recurring theme throughout William Craft's writing.
Disguise and deception
A recurring theme throughout William Craft's writing.
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Why William Craft is still read today
The Crafts’ escape is one of the most remarkable stories in American history. Their account remains essential reading for understanding the ingenuity, courage, and desperation of those who resisted slavery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was William Craft?
William Craft was an enslaved man who, with his wife Ellen, executed one of the most daring escapes from slavery in American history. Read their account free on TextStack.
How did the Crafts escape?
Ellen, who was light-skinned, disguised herself as a white male slaveholder, while William posed as her enslaved servant. They traveled openly from Georgia to Philadelphia.
Is Running a Thousand Miles for Freedom a true story?
Yes, it is the Crafts’ own account of their real escape in December 1848.
Where can I read Running a Thousand Miles for Freedom online?
TextStack offers the full text free to read online.
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