Using the Oxford African American Studies Center to Research "Twelve Years a Slave"

How can we verify the accuracy and background of the hit film "Twelve Years a Slave," based on the book by the same name? Among the St. Louis County Library's rich African American research tools is the Oxford African American Studies Center, which is available at the Research tab on the library's home page in the African American subject guide section.  The book was written by Solomon Northup (or Northrup) and the top of the database home page has a search box.  Typing in "Solomon Northup" yields a biographical entry for the author.  The entry, taken from the treatise American National Biography, gives a detailed biography of Mr. Northup and additional bibliographic references.  We learn that his book is one of the most detailed and realistic accounts of life as a slave published.  The sale of the book earned him $3,000, which he used to buy property and work as a carpenter. The database features a chapter from the book and 11 related entries on subjects such as slave narratives, kidnapping and the antislavery movement.

This database permits users to search by keyword, biographical subject, for images and multimedia, and for primary sources.  Articles can be e-mailed, printed and cited in either MLA or Chicago format.

For the casual or serious researcher, the Oxford African Studies Center provides a wealth of information in several formats.  It can enhance a trip to the movies, too.

--Harry C., Reference