Changemaker 4: Moses Roper

Moses Roper was a human rights activist, abolitionist and author and wrote one of the most notable slave narratives of the 19th century: "Narrative of the Adventures and Escape of Moses Roper from American Slavery" (1837). He was the son of a white planter, Henry H. Roper, and Nancy, an enslaved woman owned by Henry Roper. After his escape from enslavement, he soon became involved with the American Anti-Slavery Association and traveled around Northern States in the US.

Did you know that Roper also toured Europe, a decade before Fredrick Douglass? There, he gave speeches in England, Ireland and Scotland to enlighten people and tell them why slavery was an abomination and an affliction on the United States. Although he settled in Canada with his British wife and their children, he returned to the UK in the 1840s to give more lectures. There are no records that show Douglass and Roper met each other, but it is safe to say that their goal to eradicate slavery and racial discrimination made them fight on the same side.

You can learn more about Roper’s travels and lectures at our friend and colleague’s, Dr. Hannah-Rose Murray, website or in an interview with her here.

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Photo credit and source: http://docsouth.unc.edu/roper/support2.html