Scholar to donate novel by female slave to Yale

Deseret News (Salt Lake City), May 30, 2003

One of the nation's pre-eminent black scholars will donate to Yale University the first known novel written by a female slave, the university said Wednesday.

The 301-page manuscript, "The Bondwoman's Narrative," by Hannah Crafts, is the story of a female slave, laced with commentary about the worlds of slaves and masters.

Henry Louis Gates Jr., the chairman of Harvard University's Department of Afro-American Studies, found the manuscript in an auction of black memorabilia.

He researched and edited the book and got it published last year. "The Bondwoman's Narrative" reached several best-seller lists.

The book was likely written between 1853 and 1861. Gates said he is sure the author was black and was a slave, but he is not sure Crafts was her real name.

Gates is donating the book to Yale's Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library. A ceremony for the donation was scheduled for Friday.