Kidnapping of Free Citizens Before the Civil War (Virtual Event)

David Fiske, a regular contributor to New York Almanack, will give a lecture on “The Kidnapping of Free Citizens before the Civil War,” as part of the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library’s First Friday series on Friday, June 3rd.

The film 12 Years a Slave told of Solomon Northup’s kidnapping and enslavement before the Civil War. But Northup’s victimization was not an isolated incident. Fiske will detail the factors that made such crimes profitable, and explain how kidnappers could operate with relative ease. Along with a recap of Solomon Northup’s story, several other cases – including some from upstate New York – will be related.

This program will begin at 10:30 am and will be accessible via Zoom, or can be attended in-person at the library (475 Moe Road, Clifton Park, NY). At the library, copies of Fiske’s book, Solomon Northup’s Kindred: The Kidnapping of Free Citizens before the Civil War, will be available for purchase.

Registration is required to attend either virtually or in-person and can be completed online.