Biography of a Slave, Being the Experiences of Rev. Charles Thompson, a Preacher of the United Brethren Church, While a Slave in the South. Together with Startling Occurrences Incidental to Slave Life. by Charles Thompson — Summary & Review

Biography of a Slave recounts the life of Charles Thompson, born into slavery in 1833 in Atala County, Mississippi. From the start, Charles's story is marked by the cruel realities of slavery, especially the forced separation from his mother and family after the death of their owner. This wrenching loss sets the tone for a life shaped by hardship but also by faith and determination.

Charles's early years reveal the complex dynamics of slave life. Though owned by Mrs. Wilson, who protected him somewhat, Charles endured the constant threat of violence and cruelty from her husband, James Wilson—a man described as cruel and vengeful. The narrative vividly portrays the pain of family separations, such as the capture and sale of Uncle Ben, a religious and brave man who repeatedly escaped capture with the help of his wife and other slaves using secret signals. These episodes highlight the solidarity and ingenuity among enslaved people resisting their oppression.

Despite laws forbidding slave education, Charles secretly learned to read and write while serving as an attendant to Mrs. Wilson's children. His literacy became both a source of empowerment and suspicion, leading to threats of severe punishment when discovered. Charles rose to the position of field superintendent, supervising cotton weighing and labor gangs, and used his role to preach and hold religious meetings, drawing both black and white attendees. His Christian faith is a constant thread, providing strength amid suffering and a framework for understanding his bondage.

Charles's story also includes multiple escape attempts, illustrating the perilous reality of seeking freedom. After being forced to work on a railroad under threat of violence, he fled into the woods but was captured by slave hunters with bloodhounds. Later, while hired out to a farmer named Mr. Dansley, Charles escaped again but was jailed and returned to his master. These experiences reveal the constant danger faced by runaways and the harshness of the slave system, including the use of slave jails with iron spikes and savage dogs.

Throughout these trials, Charles wrestled with moral conflicts, such as when he was compelled to help build a grocery store selling whisky, which he saw as sinful. He also reflected deeply on obedience, concluding that while he must obey his earthly masters, his ultimate allegiance was to God. This spiritual perspective shaped his resilience and acceptance of his circumstances, even as he sought opportunities to preach and minister to fellow slaves.

Later, Charles was hired by a man named Thompson, from whom he took his surname. He married a colored woman during this time, though their union was not legally recognized. On Thompson's plantation, Charles gained authority over the overseer, Hines, who tried to degrade and provoke him. After being falsely accused and threatened with whipping, Charles ran away again, enduring a dangerous pursuit by a professional slave hunter with dogs. Using knowledge such as masking his scent with 'smut,' Charles evaded capture, survived encounters with wild animals, and hid in the woods for weeks. Ultimately, he chose to return, seeking forgiveness and reinstatement, which he received through the intercession of his mistress.

The narrative closes with Charles expressing his intent to continue telling his story and appealing for support, underscoring the importance of sharing these firsthand experiences of slavery. The book combines straightforward language with heartfelt reflections, offering readers a vivid, personal glimpse into the cruelty, faith, and endurance that defined Charles Thompson's life as a slave.