The Bondwoman’s Narrative, unearthed by Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr., has captured the attention of scholars and historians alike due to its notable standing as potentially the earliest novel penned by an African American woman. This discovery, made during an auction, not only elevates the work’s historical significance but also enriches its literary discourse. The novel’s Victorian style has led some academics to propose that it serves as an autobiographical narrative of Hannah Crafts, a courageous slave who, in her daring escape from North Carolina, assumed a white identity in pursuit of freedom in the Northern states.

Prior to its publication in 2002, Gates embarked on a meticulous journey to authenticate the manuscript, striving to establish its origin in the mid-1850s. The 2002 edition of the novel is accompanied by an extensive scholarly introduction written by Gates, where he elaborates on the intricate process of verifying the manuscript’s authenticity. This included commissioning a scientific analysis of the materials used in the manuscript, such as the ink, binding, and paper. To fortify his evaluations, the edition is supplemented with several appendixes, providing comprehensive evidence that solidifies Gates’s assessment of the novel’s provenance and significance.