Anthony Burns, American Freed Slave

Portrait of Anthony Burns, whose arrest and trial under the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 touched off riots and protests by abolitionists and citizens of Boston in the spring of 1854. A bust portrait of the 24 year old Burns is surrounded by scenes from his life. These include (clockwise from lower left): the sale of the youthful Burns at auction, a whipping post with bales of cotton, his arrest in Boston on May 24, 1854, his escape from Richmond on shipboard, his departure from Boston escorted by federal marshals and troops, Burns's address to the court, and finally Burns in prison. Copyrighting works such as prints and pamphlets under the name of the subject was a common abolitionist practice. Federal troops were used to ensure Burns was transported to a ship for return to Virginia after the trial. He was eventually ransomed from slavery, with his freedom purchased by Boston sympathizers. Afterward he was educated at Oberlin College and became a Baptist preacher. He served as a non-ordained minister until his early death from tuberculosis at the age of 28 in1862

Restrictions Only for Ireland and United Kingdom

Baptist Bloodhound Chattel Freed Fugitive Infamous Notorious Preacher

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