Join Student Engagement as we honor Black History Month by highlighting former slaves who went on to impact America.

“Oh! That my soul had winged its flight, when first I saw the morning light, to words of liberty!” George Moses Horton

George Moses Horton was born an enslaved man. Despite this, Horton taught himself to read and write. Horton’s poetry was soon discovered by white benefactors, who helped him get his works published. Although Horton failed at purchasing his own freedom, he soon became a free man in 1865.

You can learn more about George Moses Horton and other great Americans by visiting nationalhumanitiescenter.org