Horton, George Moses, 1798?-approximately 1880

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George Moses Horton was born into slavery on William Horton's plantation, likely in 1798, in Northampton County, North Carolina. William Horton's estate was broken up in 1819; George was separated from his family. As a child he taught himself to read and compose poetry. By the age of 20, he began visiting the University of North Carolina and selling to the students acrostic love poems based on the names of their girlfriends. George was able to buy some time from his owner, James Horton; he was not freed, though, until the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.

His literary efforts were encouraged by a number of well-placed individuals, including the novelist Caroline Lee Hentz, North Carolina Governor and later University President David L. Swain, and newspaperman Horace Greeley. Hentz, encouraged him and arranged for the publication of a collection, The Hope of Liberty. The book, the first published in the South by a black man, did not sell enough copies for Horton to purchase his freedom, nor did two subsequent collections.

George relocated to Philadelphia after the Civil War. He later emigrated to Bexley, Liberia,  arriving January 7, 1867; it is unknown of his exact death date, death location, or burial; he may have even returned to Philadelphia.

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Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn William Stevens Powell Papers, 1880s-2007 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection
referencedIn Pettigrew Family Papers, 1776-1926 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection
creatorOf An address to collegiates of the University of N.C. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
referencedIn George Moses Horton : poem Trudier Harris. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
creatorOf Myself : for SATB choir / James Barry ; text by George Moses Horton Bowling Green State University, BGSU Libraries
referencedIn Gillespie and Wright Family Papers, 1735-1990 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection
referencedIn Richard Gaither Walser Papers, 1918-1988 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection
referencedIn Torrance and Banks family papers, 1765-1982 (bulk 1800-1900). University of North Carolina, Charlotte, J. Murrey Atkins Library
referencedIn Woodberry Poetry Room (Harvard College Library) poetry readings, 1931- (ongoing). Woodberry Poetry Room, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
creatorOf George Moses Horton Poem, ., 1856 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection
creatorOf [Two poems] University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
referencedIn Richard Gaither Walser Papers, 1918-1988 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Barry, James, composer. person
associatedWith Dixon, Henry A. person
associatedWith Dixon, Martha Sugg. person
associatedWith Gales, Joseph, 1786-1860 person
associatedWith Garrison, William Lloyd, 1805-1879 person
associatedWith Greeley, Horace, 1811-1872 person
associatedWith Harris, Trudier. person
associatedWith Hentz, Caroline Lee, 1800-1856 person
associatedWith Owen, John, 1787-1841. person
associatedWith Pettigrew family. family
associatedWith Polk, Leonidas, 1806-1864 person
associatedWith Powell, William Stevens, 1919- person
associatedWith Swain, David Lowry, 1801-1868 person
associatedWith University of North Carolina (1793-1962) corporateBody
associatedWith Walser, Richard Gaither, 1908-1988. person
associatedWith Woodberry Poetry Room (Harvard College Library). corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Northampton County NC US
North Carolina NC US
Chapel Hill NC US
United States 00 US
Chatham County NC US
Republic of Liberia 00 LR
Philadelphia PA US
Subject
American literature
African American authors
African American poets
American poetry
Slaves
Slaves' writing, American
Occupation
Poets
Activity

Person

Birth 1798

Death 1880

English

Information

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Ark ID: w63z63j3

SNAC ID: 19508883