Table of Contents
Fast Facts
Related Biographies
-
Robert Gould ShawUnion army officer -
Ernestine RoseAmerican social reformer -
Charles SumnerUnited States statesman -
Frederick DouglassUnited States official and diplomat
Sojourner Truth
American evangelist and social reformer
Feedback
Thank you for your feedback
Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.
External Websites
- New-York Historical Society - Women & the American Story - Biography of Sojourner Truth
- BlackPast.org - Biography of Sojourner Isabella Baumfree Truth
- National Park Service - Biography of Sojourner Truth
- African American Registry - Biography of Sojourner Truth
- Spartacus Educational - Biography of Sojourner Truth
- Social Welfare History Project - Biography of Sojourner Truth
Britannica Websites
Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
Also known as: Isabella Van Wagener
Sojourner Truth
- Born:
- c.1797 New York
- Died:
- November 26, 1883 Battle Creek Michigan
Sojourner Truth, legal name Isabella Van Wagener, (born c. 1797, Ulster county, New York, U.S.—died November 26, 1883, Battle Creek, Michigan), African American evangelist and reformer who applied her religious fervour to the abolitionist and women’s rights movements. Isabella was the daughter of slaves and spent her childhood as an abused chattel of several masters. Her first language was Dutch. Between 1810 and 1827 she bore at least five children to a fellow slave named Thomas. Just before New York state abolished slavery in 1827, she found refuge with Isaac Van Wagener, who set her free. With the help of ...(100 of 442 words)