Solomon Northup, the author of the memoir '12 Years a Slave,' was born in Minerva, New York.
Solomon Northup, a free African American man, was kidnapped and sold into slavery in Washington, D.C.
After being kidnapped, Northup was sold into slavery in Louisiana where he worked on plantations for 12 years.
With the help of a white carpenter and his friends, Solomon Northup was able to send a letter north and was eventually freed from slavery.
'Twelve Years a Slave,' Solomon Northup's memoir detailing his experience of being kidnapped and enslaved, was published and became a significant abolitionist literature.
The film '12 Years a Slave,' based on Solomon Northup's memoir, was released to critical acclaim.
Solomon Northup lives as a free black man with his family in Saratoga Springs, New York.
Solomon is lured to Washington D.C., drugged, and kidnapped by two men who sell him into slavery.
After being drugged and kidnapped, Solomon is sold to a plantation owner in Louisiana as a slave.
Solomon is initially sold to a kind plantation owner, William Ford, who treats him with some degree of humanity.
After Ford sells Solomon to a brutal cotton plantation owner, Edwin Epps, Solomon experiences harsh and cruel conditions.
Solomon befriends Patsey, a fellow enslaved woman who suffers great abuse on the Epps plantation.
Solomon tries to escape slavery but is caught and punished severely by Epps.
Canadian carpenter Samuel Bass sympathizes with Solomon and agrees to help him get word to his family to secure his freedom.
With the help of Samuel Bass, Solomon's freedom is secured and he is reunited with his family in New York.
