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Anthony Burns: The Defeat and Triumph of a Fugitive Slave
Now in Laurel-Leaf, Virginia Hamilton's powerful true account of the sensational trial of a fugitive slave.
The year is 1854, and Anthony Burns, a 20-year-old Virginia slave, has escaped to Boston. But according to the Fugitive Slave Act, a runaway can be captured in any free state, and Anthony is soon imprisoned. The antislavery forces in Massachusetts are outraged, but the federal government backs the Fugitive Slave Act, sparking riots in Boston and fueling the Abolitionist movement.
Written with all the novelistic skill that has won her every major award in children's literature, Virginia Hamilton's important work of nonfiction puts young readers into the mind of Burns himself.
The year is 1854, and Anthony Burns, a 20-year-old Virginia slave, has escaped to Boston. But according to the Fugitive Slave Act, a runaway can be captured in any free state, and Anthony is soon imprisoned. The antislavery forces in Massachusetts are outraged, but the federal government backs the Fugitive Slave Act, sparking riots in Boston and fueling the Abolitionist movement.
Written with all the novelistic skill that has won her every major award in children's literature, Virginia Hamilton's important work of nonfiction puts young readers into the mind of Burns himself.
208 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
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304 people want to read
About the author
Virginia Hamilton
137 books271 followersVirginia Esther Hamilton was the author of forty-one works of fiction and nonfiction. She was the first Black writer awarded the Newbery Medal and the first children's writer to be named a MacArthur Fellow (the "Genius" grant). She also received the National Book Award and the Hans Christian Andersen Medal.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 17, 2012
Main Character/s: Anthony Burns
Setting: 1854 in Boston
POV: Anthony Burns
Summary: This novel is actually a true account of Anthony’s trial as a fugitive slave as well as his life as a slave. In this book Anthony Burns, a twenty-year-old slave from Virginia, is the main character. He tells his story of how he escapes slavery in Virginia and travels to Boston. Unfortunately he is captured in Boston, a free state. During this time period the Fugitive Slave Act, which is part of the Compromise of 1850, states a runaway can be captured in any free state. Individuals and groups against slavery are immediately outraged at Anthony’s imprisonment and this led to riots and the beginning of the Abolitionist Movement. Anthony and many others continued to fight for his freedom unfortunately he was sent back to his slave owner, Charles Suttle. Anthony Burns soon escaped again and he was a free man during this escape.
Classroom uses/theme: I would use this text in my upper elementary or even middle school classroom. This is an extraordinary true story that lends itself tremendously to great discussion. The main themes in this book were slavery and inequality. This book truly pushes students to empathize with the main character and feel infuriated with how the government and some individuals are treating him. The chapters of this book shifts from the 1840s (his time as a young Virginia slave) and 1854 (his trial and imprisonment). This is a great book to include in a literature class because of its historical accuracy and personal account of a former slave.
Setting: 1854 in Boston
POV: Anthony Burns
Summary: This novel is actually a true account of Anthony’s trial as a fugitive slave as well as his life as a slave. In this book Anthony Burns, a twenty-year-old slave from Virginia, is the main character. He tells his story of how he escapes slavery in Virginia and travels to Boston. Unfortunately he is captured in Boston, a free state. During this time period the Fugitive Slave Act, which is part of the Compromise of 1850, states a runaway can be captured in any free state. Individuals and groups against slavery are immediately outraged at Anthony’s imprisonment and this led to riots and the beginning of the Abolitionist Movement. Anthony and many others continued to fight for his freedom unfortunately he was sent back to his slave owner, Charles Suttle. Anthony Burns soon escaped again and he was a free man during this escape.
Classroom uses/theme: I would use this text in my upper elementary or even middle school classroom. This is an extraordinary true story that lends itself tremendously to great discussion. The main themes in this book were slavery and inequality. This book truly pushes students to empathize with the main character and feel infuriated with how the government and some individuals are treating him. The chapters of this book shifts from the 1840s (his time as a young Virginia slave) and 1854 (his trial and imprisonment). This is a great book to include in a literature class because of its historical accuracy and personal account of a former slave.
March 4, 2013
This book alternates between two aspects of the tale. One part deals with Burns' apprehension in Boston, and the subsequent proceeding to extradite him to Virginia under the Fugitive Slave Act. The Fugitive Slave Act was a federal law that allowed slave owners to recapture their slaves who had successfully escaped and settled in free states.
Remember, Southerners were huge fans of State's rights, and thought that the Federal Government should not be able to interfere in their definitions of what, or whom, constituted property. But this admiration for states rights didn't extend to recognizing the right of other states to declare that people within their borders were free, and could not be considered property. For this point, the Southerners were perfectly content to rest upon the almighty authority of the Federal government to enforce their property rights in areas where other states said those rights did not exist.
Conversely, when it came to slavery, the Northerners tended to favor a Federal approach. The abolitionist movement thought the Federal Government should extend its power to simply wipe out the institution of slavery. But when the Feds instead used its authority to restore slaves to their owners, the northerners took up the mantle of state's rights and insisted that a slave within their borders was no slave an all and the Federal government should not be allowed to interfere.
This book draws out this process, and makes very clear the tensions that these laws caused in both Boston and in the South. Burns himself becomes little more than a pawn in the larger historical forces that are whirling around him. He gets taken prisoner, gets defended almost against his wishes, gets rushed through a process he little understands, and then gets shipped back to Virginia and North Carolina, before he ultimately gets purchased by his defenders and freed. His only wish is to be a free man, but he is not free as a slave, and indeed he is not free once this process starts to sweep him away.
Hamilton does a wonderful job describing the proceeding, the near riots that surround the proceeding, the fundamental unfairness of the law in question, and the motives of the various people involved, from the marshall, to the jailers, to the judge on the hearing, to the lawyers, and to Burns himself. She also does a great job of describing the extraordinary waste of resources involved in sending this one slave back to his home state so that he could be tortured.
The other aspect of the book is told through memories of Burns while in jail. This part sequentially fills in parts of his upbringing and life as a slave. I thought it was perhaps more entertaining than the legal proceedings, but less gripping. The main thing I got from these sections was that Burns life as a slave was intolerable, and at the same time, as a slave, he had it rather easy compared to other slaves. The interesting aspect of this part was the practice of raising slaves not for plantation work, but to be leased out to middle class store and restaurant owners for the term of a year or more. In one of these labor stints, his lessor negligently starts some manufacturing equipment and completely mangles Burns right hand. Since he can no longer perform his service, the lessor simply terminates the lease and returns Burns to his owner as damaged goods. No other consequence seems to follow. Pretty extraordinary stuff.
I think Hamilton did a great job presenting this material, and yet, I still have my doubts about how much kids will like it. It seems to me that this book falls more on the side of a book that a parent or a teacher would like the kids to read, and less on the side of a book that kids will recommend to each other. And that's too bad.
Remember, Southerners were huge fans of State's rights, and thought that the Federal Government should not be able to interfere in their definitions of what, or whom, constituted property. But this admiration for states rights didn't extend to recognizing the right of other states to declare that people within their borders were free, and could not be considered property. For this point, the Southerners were perfectly content to rest upon the almighty authority of the Federal government to enforce their property rights in areas where other states said those rights did not exist.
Conversely, when it came to slavery, the Northerners tended to favor a Federal approach. The abolitionist movement thought the Federal Government should extend its power to simply wipe out the institution of slavery. But when the Feds instead used its authority to restore slaves to their owners, the northerners took up the mantle of state's rights and insisted that a slave within their borders was no slave an all and the Federal government should not be allowed to interfere.
This book draws out this process, and makes very clear the tensions that these laws caused in both Boston and in the South. Burns himself becomes little more than a pawn in the larger historical forces that are whirling around him. He gets taken prisoner, gets defended almost against his wishes, gets rushed through a process he little understands, and then gets shipped back to Virginia and North Carolina, before he ultimately gets purchased by his defenders and freed. His only wish is to be a free man, but he is not free as a slave, and indeed he is not free once this process starts to sweep him away.
Hamilton does a wonderful job describing the proceeding, the near riots that surround the proceeding, the fundamental unfairness of the law in question, and the motives of the various people involved, from the marshall, to the jailers, to the judge on the hearing, to the lawyers, and to Burns himself. She also does a great job of describing the extraordinary waste of resources involved in sending this one slave back to his home state so that he could be tortured.
The other aspect of the book is told through memories of Burns while in jail. This part sequentially fills in parts of his upbringing and life as a slave. I thought it was perhaps more entertaining than the legal proceedings, but less gripping. The main thing I got from these sections was that Burns life as a slave was intolerable, and at the same time, as a slave, he had it rather easy compared to other slaves. The interesting aspect of this part was the practice of raising slaves not for plantation work, but to be leased out to middle class store and restaurant owners for the term of a year or more. In one of these labor stints, his lessor negligently starts some manufacturing equipment and completely mangles Burns right hand. Since he can no longer perform his service, the lessor simply terminates the lease and returns Burns to his owner as damaged goods. No other consequence seems to follow. Pretty extraordinary stuff.
I think Hamilton did a great job presenting this material, and yet, I still have my doubts about how much kids will like it. It seems to me that this book falls more on the side of a book that a parent or a teacher would like the kids to read, and less on the side of a book that kids will recommend to each other. And that's too bad.
February 22, 2013
Jan 13
I like how the first chapter showing Anthony's current situation and on to the next chapter, the story starts to build up when he was a child.
Jan 20
I was expecting Anthony's childhood story starting from Chapter 2 until the second last chapter where the last chapter will show what will happen to him on the court however it was the opposite. I can already tell the sequence will be odd chapters are present time and even chapters are past time which might confuse the reader. Nevertheless the story wise is still great.
Jan 27
The next two chapter was in chronological order which make the story more sense. Also I can feel that the story is going deeper. Still interesting but not as much from the beginning.
Feb 03
The story is getting deeper and I feel sorry for Anthony. Every time he was about to have justice on his side, theres always little things that's preventing him from having it like that part where Simon had stomachache which makes Anthony late. Aslo I like how the write it in the actual accent they pronouce it.
Feb 22
The story is getting deeper where Anthony was sent to the court and sold to the Foote's family, but in the end he got injured to the point where he broke his arm. Nevertheless Anthony always have faith that he will survive this misfortune.
I like how the first chapter showing Anthony's current situation and on to the next chapter, the story starts to build up when he was a child.
Jan 20
I was expecting Anthony's childhood story starting from Chapter 2 until the second last chapter where the last chapter will show what will happen to him on the court however it was the opposite. I can already tell the sequence will be odd chapters are present time and even chapters are past time which might confuse the reader. Nevertheless the story wise is still great.
Jan 27
The next two chapter was in chronological order which make the story more sense. Also I can feel that the story is going deeper. Still interesting but not as much from the beginning.
Feb 03
The story is getting deeper and I feel sorry for Anthony. Every time he was about to have justice on his side, theres always little things that's preventing him from having it like that part where Simon had stomachache which makes Anthony late. Aslo I like how the write it in the actual accent they pronouce it.
Feb 22
The story is getting deeper where Anthony was sent to the court and sold to the Foote's family, but in the end he got injured to the point where he broke his arm. Nevertheless Anthony always have faith that he will survive this misfortune.
December 6, 2021
Horrible and unconscionable treatment of another human being hurts my heart to the point of rage. Even at this awful time in our history, evil doers were attempting to usurp our constitution. Hurray for all the good people who saw the injustice and worked to right a despicable wrong.
August 27, 2016
This review is also available on my blog, Read Till Dawn.
I read Anthony Burns as a summer reading assignment for my new AP US History class. The assignment was to read a book connected to US history and then write a review of it, so I figured I'd kill two birds with one stone and post my review on here as well as on the class website. The format is a little different from my usual reviews, because there are some specific questions I'm supposed to be answering, so sorry if it sounds a little stilted.
Anthony Burns: The Defeat and Triumph of a Fugitive Slave is (as I'm sure you've already guessed) about a man named Anthony Burns, who was a fugitive slave. Moving past that obvious piece of information, I'll tell you that it's a historical fiction that takes all of the true facts known about Burns' life, adds some embellishing details about his childhood as a slave, and then tells the story of his life in the style of a fictional novel. It's a very gripping read, made doubly so because the story's true. The narration swaps between descriptions of his arrest/trial (focusing both on Anthony's emotions and on the people around Boston connected to his case) and flashbacks as Anthony reminisces to himself about his life growing up on the slave plantation. It's a very compelling rhythm, because as the trial unfolds the true (and terrible) picture of what exactly Anthony is trying to escape is revealed so that you can't help but be swept away in the truth of how devastatingly important it is that Anthony be allowed to go free.
The first time I read Anthony Burns, I was completely absorbed in the drama of the story, of the emotions running throughout each scene. The second time through, I spent most of the time wondering how much of what I read was actually true. The author says in the afterward that she filled in the story's gaps, and sometimes that's obvious–like when she makes up some tales from Anthony's childhood, or writes as though she definitively knows the inner workings of the main characters' heads–but sometimes her eagerness to add extra information makes me a little leery about the historical accuracy of other parts of her account. It makes for a compelling story, for example, to know exactly what Burns's lawyer said in his final passionate speech; the speech recorded in the book is a very clever, emotional, well-written speech, and I would love to applaud the person who wrote it - but since, a few chapters later, the lawyer mourns that the judge didn't take notes during the speech ("Not one note, Dana thought. Not on any of my points . . . He wrote not a word!") it begs the question: how did Hamilton actually get the original speech to put in her book? There may be a simple answer to that question or there may not be (I certainly haven't been able to find any transcript of the trial online), but this is just an example of how I wish she had been a little more clear about delineating between historical fact and made-up details.
Okay, moving on. The biggest piece of new historical information that I gained from Anthony Burns is - and don't laugh at me for not already knowing about this! - the Fugitive Slave Act. This was an act that required citizens of free states in the North to return escaped slaves to their masters in the South; anyone who knew about an escaped slave and didn't turn him in was breaking the law. This law obviously sparked some major backlash from abolitionists, and so Anthony Burns focuses not only on Anthony's feelings throughout his trial but also on the response the people of Boston as a whole had toward his potential return to slavery. It's very interesting (in a horrifying sort of way) to see how the law itself was so obviously and overtly pro-slavery to the point where it could force people like Anthony to go back into the terrible slavery they'd almost escaped for good. It made me think about the government as a whole, and about how sometimes it's really nothing more than a tool used by evil people to justify and even enable the horrible things that they do.
Okay, well that's chipper. I guess this review was bound to be a downer, considering it's about a man's attempt to escape slavery. I usually try to avoid those sorts of books, because they're just so darned depressing, but somehow this one just really caught my eye. I'm glad I read it, in an "I learned something about my past" sort of way, though I'm also disturbed by the way Anthony and his fellow slaves were treated by their "owners." And also by the fact that he died only seven years after he was freed.
I know, that really puts a damper on the whole "triumph" part of the byline.
I read Anthony Burns as a summer reading assignment for my new AP US History class. The assignment was to read a book connected to US history and then write a review of it, so I figured I'd kill two birds with one stone and post my review on here as well as on the class website. The format is a little different from my usual reviews, because there are some specific questions I'm supposed to be answering, so sorry if it sounds a little stilted.
Anthony Burns: The Defeat and Triumph of a Fugitive Slave is (as I'm sure you've already guessed) about a man named Anthony Burns, who was a fugitive slave. Moving past that obvious piece of information, I'll tell you that it's a historical fiction that takes all of the true facts known about Burns' life, adds some embellishing details about his childhood as a slave, and then tells the story of his life in the style of a fictional novel. It's a very gripping read, made doubly so because the story's true. The narration swaps between descriptions of his arrest/trial (focusing both on Anthony's emotions and on the people around Boston connected to his case) and flashbacks as Anthony reminisces to himself about his life growing up on the slave plantation. It's a very compelling rhythm, because as the trial unfolds the true (and terrible) picture of what exactly Anthony is trying to escape is revealed so that you can't help but be swept away in the truth of how devastatingly important it is that Anthony be allowed to go free.
The first time I read Anthony Burns, I was completely absorbed in the drama of the story, of the emotions running throughout each scene. The second time through, I spent most of the time wondering how much of what I read was actually true. The author says in the afterward that she filled in the story's gaps, and sometimes that's obvious–like when she makes up some tales from Anthony's childhood, or writes as though she definitively knows the inner workings of the main characters' heads–but sometimes her eagerness to add extra information makes me a little leery about the historical accuracy of other parts of her account. It makes for a compelling story, for example, to know exactly what Burns's lawyer said in his final passionate speech; the speech recorded in the book is a very clever, emotional, well-written speech, and I would love to applaud the person who wrote it - but since, a few chapters later, the lawyer mourns that the judge didn't take notes during the speech ("Not one note, Dana thought. Not on any of my points . . . He wrote not a word!") it begs the question: how did Hamilton actually get the original speech to put in her book? There may be a simple answer to that question or there may not be (I certainly haven't been able to find any transcript of the trial online), but this is just an example of how I wish she had been a little more clear about delineating between historical fact and made-up details.
Okay, moving on. The biggest piece of new historical information that I gained from Anthony Burns is - and don't laugh at me for not already knowing about this! - the Fugitive Slave Act. This was an act that required citizens of free states in the North to return escaped slaves to their masters in the South; anyone who knew about an escaped slave and didn't turn him in was breaking the law. This law obviously sparked some major backlash from abolitionists, and so Anthony Burns focuses not only on Anthony's feelings throughout his trial but also on the response the people of Boston as a whole had toward his potential return to slavery. It's very interesting (in a horrifying sort of way) to see how the law itself was so obviously and overtly pro-slavery to the point where it could force people like Anthony to go back into the terrible slavery they'd almost escaped for good. It made me think about the government as a whole, and about how sometimes it's really nothing more than a tool used by evil people to justify and even enable the horrible things that they do.
Okay, well that's chipper. I guess this review was bound to be a downer, considering it's about a man's attempt to escape slavery. I usually try to avoid those sorts of books, because they're just so darned depressing, but somehow this one just really caught my eye. I'm glad I read it, in an "I learned something about my past" sort of way, though I'm also disturbed by the way Anthony and his fellow slaves were treated by their "owners." And also by the fact that he died only seven years after he was freed.
I know, that really puts a damper on the whole "triumph" part of the byline.
February 20, 2014
I thought this book was really good.It really keeps you wanting to read more since every time you think it'll stop more drama rises and you think Anthony will go back to slavery but you never know till the end of the trial.I also like how inbetween parts during the case it goes back to Anthony's childhood as a slave who was more privledged than others it really puts you in a slave's perspective just wanting to be free.
And even after the case so much goes on after the books main focus too like the struggles Anthony has to deal with after the decision of a trial. Anthony Burns is a very good book but at points confusing. A good read I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
And even after the case so much goes on after the books main focus too like the struggles Anthony has to deal with after the decision of a trial. Anthony Burns is a very good book but at points confusing. A good read I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
September 8, 2010
This book is a good story for people who enjoy reading historical fiction. In this book I was surprised when the soldiers attacked the crowed of people. This happened when Anthony Burns was being taken to the ship because he was still a slave. The people were mad at the soldiers because of this so they started booing and hissing at them.
January 3, 2013
Anthony Burns was born and raised as a slave until the part where he and his parents ran away because their owner's wife threatens to sell him or his mom away. once in Boston, his owner finds him and a debate starts. judging is Edward Loring and they argue for days about whether he should be free or a slave again. he is sold awhile later and receives his freedom.
February 23, 2010
So...the only things I remember about this book are that he escaped from slavery, got recaptured and then escaped again as a free man. Yay! He's freed. But then in the epilogue it says he dies when he's like 30 or something. Boo :(
February 27, 2013
if i could rate this book a zero i would because this was the most incredibly boring and unbearable to read. I do not recommend anyone in the world reading this because this book will make any person want to kill themselves. DO NOT READ.
July 28, 2014
Wow, the things that people were allowed to do to slaves and legally under the law too. I enjoyed this book, and learned a few new things like because of Anthony Burns, we now have the Habeas Corpus law. Interesting read. I would recommend it.
Read
January 10, 2009This book was alright. It wasn't a fast reader, and was pretty confusing, but it had a good message.
Read
May 26, 2011I thought it was a triumphant book of epic proportions; it takes a great deal of patients though not an easy read for the most part it was very interesting.
Read
September 7, 2012where can i read it? xD lol
April 20, 2013
So this was a class book, which made it that much worse. Maybe if I had chosen it I would have liked it better?
January 30, 2017
I think the book is very inspiring and all but it couldn't keep my attention.
September 1, 2022
Anthony Burns is a tragic but uplifting book of a fugitive slave and the tiring times of the Abolitionist movement. The reader follows the life of Anthony Burns and lives through the events he had to go through in 1854. The reader learns about the unfairness and the treatment were towards slaves at the time and the books does not detail lightly. I personally really liked this book because I am interested in American History and the book helped me visualize how the times were back then. What I would take away from this book is that it was very difficult times for African Americans back then and that we need more books like this to understand these hardships. I would recommend this book to history lovers and people who love empowerment stories. I think the book resulted in a very satisfying way (especially with everything that Anthony Burns went through) and definitely a "must read!"
September 23, 2017
3 stars
I loved the message this book had to convey, more so because this was a true story. But the three stars because I didn't find this novel very captivating, nor was it a page-turner. I didn't quite like the writing style because of which this was a very slow read and this 200 pager took me months to finish.
I loved the message this book had to convey, more so because this was a true story. But the three stars because I didn't find this novel very captivating, nor was it a page-turner. I didn't quite like the writing style because of which this was a very slow read and this 200 pager took me months to finish.
March 6, 2019
This definitely was a decent book. I feel like it went way more in depth with Anthony's story than it should of, but that is fine. I didn't really like the book because I don't like biographies but it was interesting me a little, so I guess I enjoyed it. I don't really like the book's writing style. I think I will give it a 3 star because it is decent, but not so great.
July 7, 2017
Good book, really tugs on your heart strings with all the things that occurred in Anthony Burn's short life. Yes, I would certainly recommend this books to all of my readers.
August 4, 2017
Great book about one man's experience with escaping slavery and how Boston's abolitionist community fought the practice.
November 9, 2025
A riveting story, made all the more poignant because it is history.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews