George Moses Horton

Reprint of the original, first published in 1845.

Minor Notes Vol. 1 features the work of three poets. Published in 1837, Poems by a Slave is one of the lesser-known works by George Moses Horton (1798-1883), once popularly known as the 'black bard of North Carolina.' Visions of the Dusk (1915) is an American prose poem known for its formal innovation by Fenton Johnson, a poet, essayist, editor and educator from Chicago. Georgia Douglas Johnson was the most widely read black woman poet in the US during the first three decades of the 20th century. Bronze: A Book of Verse (1922) was introduced with a foreword by W. E. B. Du Bois.

Large Print Edition From the importunate request of a few individuals, I assume the difficult task of writing a concise history of my life. But to open a scene of all the past occurrences of my life I shall not undertake, since I should fail by more than two-thirds in the matter. But if you will condescend to read it, I will endeavor to give a slight specimen entirely clear of exaggeration. A tedious and prolix detail in the matter may not be of any expected, since there is necessarily so much particularity required in a biographical narrative.

George M. Horton was an African-American poet from North Carolina. He was the first African-American poet to be published in the Southern United States. His book was published in while he was still enslaved. Moses did not gain his freedom until 1865.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1845.

LARGE PRINT EDITION: GEORGE, who is the author of the following poetical effusions, is a Slave, the property of Mr. James Horton, of Chatham County, North Carolina. He has been in the habit, some years past, of producing poetical pieces, sometimes on suggested subjects, to such persons as would write them while he dictated. Several compositions of his have already appeared in the Raleigh Register. Some have made their way into the Boston newspapers, and have evoked expressions of approbation and surprise. Many persons have now become much interested in the promotion of his prospects, some of whom are elevated in office and literary attainments. They are solicitous that efforts at length be made to obtain by subscription, a sum sufficient for his emancipation, upon the condition of his going in the vessel which shall first afterwards sail for Liberia. It is his earnest and only wish to become a member of that Colony, to enjoy its privileges, and apply his industry and mental abilities to the promotion of its prospects and his own. It is upon these terms alone, that the efforts of those who befriend his views are intended to have a final effect.Large Print

George Horton was a slave who worked in North Carolina during the 1820s and 1830s, who taught himself to read and author poems, which are collected in this book.As a young slave Horton detested manual farm work; he preferred to study and use his mind. He was able to obtain books, and diligently educated himself in the arts of literature and poetry. Once he was confident enough, he began to write poems of his own. Horton's verses are very emotional and moving; they cover topics such as the loss of a child, life under the yolk of slavery, and the passing of the seasons. The poet writes at length about love, marriage and family life; something which was officially forbidden to slaves.When George's poems appeared in print there was much interest, and he unsuccessfully attempted to buy his freedom with earnings from his writings. He remained a slave until the Emancipation Proclamation was issued following the U.S. Civil War; at which point he was already advanced in age. The last known record of George's life dates to 1867; it refers to his immigrating to Liberia in Africa. His date of death is unknown as records are absent, but is estimated to be sometime in the 1880s.