It is estimated that Elizabeth Barrett Barrett (later, Browning) wrote "The African," the first and longest of her poems about slavery, when she was in her early teens. The narrative poem, which remained unpublished until 2010, is based on an account shared with her by Richard Barrett, a family cousin and plantation owner in Jamaica. 

First page of "The African" manuscript.
First page of "The African" manuscript.

Associated Places


Event date


circa. 1820 to circa. 1822

Event date


Event date
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Parent Chronology





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