Harriet Ann Jacobs (1813-1897) was born into slavery in North Carolina, but escaped to the north. She became involved with the Anti-Slavery Society, and her autobiography was published in 1861. Jacobs' first-hand account of the abuse suffered by slaves, especially women, caused shock and outrage.

This 1861 account of life as a slave made an impassioned plea for the cause of abolition in America.