Twelve Years a Slave: who's who, timeline and places
Everyone in Twelve Years a Slave, what happens when, and where, without spoilers: tell us how far you have read and we show only what you already know.
- Solomon NorthupA free Black man in New York, he supports his wife and family through varied work.First seen in chapter 2
- Anne HamptonShe is Solomon Northup’s wife, sharing the household he supports through several kinds of work.First seen in chapter 2
- Merrill BrownOne of two strangers offering musical work, he accompanies the narrator to Washington.First seen in chapter 3
- Abram HamiltonOne of two strangers offering musical work, he helps persuade the narrator to travel south.First seen in chapter 3
- ElizaA fellow captive in the Washington slave pen, she recounts how promised freedom became sale.First seen in chapter 4
- James H. BurchHe claims ownership of Northup and brutally beats him for insisting that he is free.First seen in chapter 4
- William FordHe owns Harry, Eliza, and Platt, treats them kindly, and operates lumber mills.First seen in chapter 8
- John M. TibeatsHe works with Platt and presents a threatening contrast to William Ford’s kindness.First seen in chapter 8
- ChapinHe stops Tibeats’s attempt to hang Platt and sends Lawson to summon Ford.First seen in chapter 9
- EppsHe buys Platt from Tibeats, ending Platt’s immediate fear of his former owner.First seen in chapter 12
- PatseyAn enslaved worker on Epps’s plantation, she picks far more cotton than Solomon does.First seen in chapter 13
- ArmsbyHe betrays Platt’s request for help mailing a letter seeking freedom.First seen in chapter 17
- BassA carpenter working on Epps’s new house, he condemns slavery and promises to help Solomon.First seen in chapter 20
- Henry B. NorthupNew York’s appointed agent, he travels south to find Solomon and secure his release.First seen in chapter 22
- Chapter 2
The narrator recounts his free birth, marriage to Anne Hampton, work, and family life in New York.
- Chapter 3
After accepting musical work and traveling to Washington, the narrator falls ill and wakes chained without his freedom papers.
- Chapter 4
Burch beats Northup for asserting his freedom, and Northup meets Eliza among the captives.
- Chapter 5
The captives leave Washington for Richmond, and Burch threatens Northup into silence about his freedom.
- Chapter 6
Robert’s death ends an escape plan, and Freeman confines the narrator under the imposed name Platt.
- Chapter 7
Sales separate Eliza from Randall and Emily, while an unnamed buyer purchases her, Harry, and Platt.
- Chapter 8
At Ford’s home and mills, Platt conceals his identity and earns approval through rafting and loom making.
- Chapter 9
After buying Platt, Tibeats attempts to whip him, then tries to hang him before Chapin intervenes.
- Chapter 10
Ford cuts Platt free after he spends the day bound in painful heat.
- Chapter 11
Platt fights off Tibeats, escapes pursuing hounds through water, and reaches Ford’s home for protection.
- Chapter 12
Ford demands that Tibeats sell Platt or hire him out, and Tibeats eventually sells him to Epps.
- Chapter 13
The narrator describes cotton labor under Epps, where picking quotas and whipping control enslaved workers.
- Chapter 14
The narrator falls seriously ill, but Epps returns him to work before he fully recovers.
- Chapter 15
After caterpillars ruin the cotton crop, the narrator works on a sugar plantation and unsuccessfully seeks escape assistance.
- Chapter 16
Christmas brings brief holidays, shared suppers, dancing, and visits among plantations.
- Chapter 17
Armsby betrays Platt’s attempt to send a letter, forcing him to deceive Epps and burn the appeal.
- Chapter 18
Repeated beatings drive Wiley to escape, but he returns after capture and receives no mercy from Epps.
- Chapter 19
Epps rejects Patsey’s explanation for visiting Harriet and subjects her to a savage whipping.
- Chapter 20
Solomon trusts Bass with his history, and Bass secretly writes letters seeking proof of his freedom.
- Chapter 21
Bass promises further help, and two strangers approach the cotton field on a cold January morning.
- Chapter 22
Henry B. Northup finds Solomon through Bass and secures his release from Epps with the sheriff’s help.
- Chapter 23
A court excludes Solomon’s testimony and releases Burch, after which Solomon reunites with his family in Glens Falls.
Hidden until you have read that far.
- Saratoga SpringsThe narrator leaves this place without notifying Anne after accepting paid musical work.First seen in chapter 3
- WashingtonThe narrator travels here with Brown and Hamilton before waking chained in darkness.First seen in chapter 3
- RichmondThe captives arrive here from Washington, and Goodin examines them before their journey continues.First seen in chapter 5
- New OrleansThe captives travel toward this city, where Freeman takes the narrator into confinement.First seen in chapter 6
- Indian CreekFord’s lumber mills stand here, where Harry and Platt join the workers.First seen in chapter 8
- Bayou BœufPlatt joins construction work here after Ford sells him to Tibeats.First seen in chapter 9
- Big Cane BrakePlatt builds cabins and cuts trees here while hired out to Mr. Eldret.First seen in chapter 12
- MarksvilleHere, John P. Waddill connects Bass’s letter with the carpenter who knows Solomon’s location.First seen in chapter 22
- Glens FallsSolomon reunites with his family here after traveling north with Henry B. Northup.First seen in chapter 23
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