James W.C. Pennington (1807-1870) was a minister, abolitionist, author, renowned orator, and the first African American to attend Yale University. Born James Pembroke to enslaved parents in Maryland, Pennington was trained as a blacksmith at his master’s bidding. At age 19, Pennington made a harrowing escape from slavery, living first with one and then another Quaker family until he made his way eventually to New York City. In addition to writing the first history of African Americans, The Origin and History of the Colored People (1841), he wrote a gripping account of his escape from slavery, The Fugitive Blacksmith (1849). In this account, Pennington describes his upbringing as a slave in Maryland, and strongly emphasizes the immorality and brutality of what he calls the “chattel principle”: the idea that human beings can be owned just like livestock or farm equipment. This autobiographical work is the main source of information available to historians about Pennington’s early life.

James W.C. Pennington (1807-1870) was a minister, abolitionist, author, renowned orator, and the first African American to attend Yale University. Born James Pembroke to enslaved parents in Maryland, Pennington was trained as a blacksmith at his master’s bidding. At age 19, Pennington made a harrowing escape from slavery, living first with one and then another Quaker family until he made his way eventually to New York City. In addition to writing the first history of African Americans, The Origin and History of the Colored People (1841), he wrote a gripping account of his escape from slavery, The Fugitive Blacksmith (1849). In this account, Pennington describes his upbringing as a slave in Maryland, and strongly emphasizes the immorality and brutality of what he calls the “chattel principle”: the idea that human beings can be owned just like livestock or farm equipment. This autobiographical work is the main source of information available to historians about Pennington’s early life.