Origins

Ever wonder where the story Uncle Tom’s Cabin really came from? Originally, Mrs. Stowe’s story first ran as a series in //National Era,// running from June 5, 1851 to April 1, 1851. She was told when brought for print that people would not want to read a book about such subjects as slavery. That is why she was at first offered to write a series in the journal. To the publisher’s surprise, her series became a big success. In 1852, it was printed as a two volume novel. Shortly after it was translated into many different languages and it circulated in 22 countries! Not everyone though, was taken with the novel. President Lincoln wasn’t impressed with Mrs. Stowe, saying about her, “the little woman who made this big war” (Nichols p.328). He was blaming her for the ongoing racism. Despite Lincolns opinion her book went on to sell millions of copies and is still regarded as one of the world’s bestselling novels still today. It is thought that Uncle Tom’s character was based on a real person named Josiah Henson, who was a fugitive slave. Mrs. Stowe’s book, the //Key// was the first mention of knowing Mr. Henson. Another suggestion was that she took the character from Richard Hildreth’s //The Slave:// or //the Memoirs of Archy Moore.// There are some strikingly similar incidents in Stowe and Hildreth’s novels. But, Uncle Tom’s Cabin is written with much more detail. Mrs. Stowe said about Uncle Tom’s Cabin, “this book has been a collection and arrangement of real incidents, of actions really performed, of words and expressions really uttered, grouped together with reference to a general result.” (Drummond and Moody p.316). The photo below is of Mrs. Stowe and two of her grandchildren (: []).
 * Origins:**