Harriet Beecher Stowe Publishes Uncle Tom's Cabin - Timeline Event
Time Period
1852
Description
Though she would write more than 30 books, Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811-1886) is best known for her Christian anti-slavery novel that helped turn the cultural tide and escalated the ensuing Civil War (1861-1865).
Uncle Tom’s Cabin began as a series of essays for an anti-slavery newspaper. In 1852, it was published as a two-volume novel, which became an international best-seller published in more than 60 languages.
At a time when some preachers used Scripture to defend slavery, her text was clear: slavery is immoral and Christian love must abolish it. "As a Christian, I felt the dishonor to Christianity," she explained. She cast the slave Tom as a Christ-like figure and his owner Simon Legree as evil personified.
Stowe’s theological pedigree ran deep. Daughter of a renowned preacher and seminary president, and wife of a theologian, her siblings included a sister who founded a female seminary and famed abolitionist clergyman Henry Ward Beecher.
Uncle Tom’s Cabin began as a series of essays for an anti-slavery newspaper. In 1852, it was published as a two-volume novel, which became an international best-seller published in more than 60 languages.
At a time when some preachers used Scripture to defend slavery, her text was clear: slavery is immoral and Christian love must abolish it. "As a Christian, I felt the dishonor to Christianity," she explained. She cast the slave Tom as a Christ-like figure and his owner Simon Legree as evil personified.
Stowe’s theological pedigree ran deep. Daughter of a renowned preacher and seminary president, and wife of a theologian, her siblings included a sister who founded a female seminary and famed abolitionist clergyman Henry Ward Beecher.
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Photographs
Uncle Tom's Cabin, title page- Internet Archive
Harriet Beecher Stowe portrait- Library of Congress, LC-USZ62-10476
Harriet Beecher Stowe and scenes from Uncle Tom's Cabin- Library of Congress, LC-USZ62-107587
Web Source(s)
https://www.harrietbeecherstowecenter.org/hbs/Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, "Harriet Beecher Stowe's Life"
http://utc.iath.virginia.edu/interpret/exhibits/hill/hill.html
"Uncle Tom's Cabin as a Religious Text," by Patricia R. Hill, Department of History and American Studies, Wesleyan University
Web Page Contributor
Sandi DolbeeAffliated with: Former Religion and Ethics Editor, The San Diego Union-Tribune
