Harriet Jacobs Collected editions

Harriet Jacobs (1813 – 1897) was an African American writer and abolitionist whose memoir Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl remains one of the most important firsthand accounts of slavery from a woman’s perspective. Writing under the pseudonym Linda Brent, Jacobs detailed her harrowing experiences under slavery, including years spent in hiding to escape her master’s abuse.

Her narrative sheds light on the unique challenges enslaved women faced, including sexual exploitation and the fight to protect their children.

Through her courage and testimony, Harriet Jacobs made a lasting contribution to the history of abolition and women’s rights.