Josiah Henson is an important figure in the fight against slavery. Born into an enslaved family in Port Tobacco, Maryland, in 1789, he was determined to escape — and in 1830, Josiah took his family north, founding the Dawn settlement in Canada to support other emancipated people. As a woodworker and minister, he led vocational training and provided stability for his community. His commitment to empowering others through craftsmanship and education reflected his vision for a society free of oppression. Josiah’s legacy extends to his autobiography, The Life of Josiah Henson, Formerly a Slave, Now an Inhabitant of Canada, as Narrated by Himself. This work shed light on the harsh realities of slavery and helped strengthen the abolitionist movement. Josiah’s contributions as a liberator, maker, and author are a testament to his impact on accomplishing justice and equality. Learn more about Josiah Henson by visiting the Josiah Henson Museum and Park, which preserves the house where Josiah was enslaved when a child, located in Bethesda, Maryland.
