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Secondary sourceInterview1869 (text); modern reading

Scenes in the Life of Harriet Tubman (LibriVox Reading)

Sarah Hopkins Bradford · 1869 (text); modern reading

A volunteer audio reading of Sarah Hopkins Bradford's 1869 biography of Harriet Tubman, written by someone who knew her personally.

This early biography, written by someone who knew Tubman, preserves accounts of her life in her own era.

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LibriVox volunteer reading (by Sue Anderson) of Sarah Hopkins Bradford's Scenes in the Life of Harriet Tubman, 1869 text.

About this source

What it is

This is a LibriVox volunteer audio recording of Scenes in the Life of Harriet Tubman, a biography written in 1869 by Sarah Hopkins Bradford, who knew Tubman personally. The reading, by volunteer Sue Anderson, is dedicated to the public domain.

Why it matters

Bradford's book is one of the earliest written accounts of Tubman's life, based on personal acquaintance, and has shaped how later generations understood her story. It matters to note, however, that this audio is a modern reading of the text, not Tubman's own voice or words.

Look closer

  • Why might Bradford's personal relationship with Tubman make her account valuable, but also one-sided?
  • What is the difference between hearing a biography read aloud today and hearing Tubman speak herself?
  • What might be left out of a biography written by someone else, even a friend?

This interview is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Harriet Tubman on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Scan of an 1849 newspaper runaway-slave reward notice headed 'Three Hundred Dollars Reward', offering rewards for three runaways named Harry, Ben and Minty, signed by Eliza Ann Brodess near Bucktown, Dorchester County, Md.Newspaper article

Primary source

Three Hundred Dollars Reward Notice

Eliza Ann Brodess · 3 October 1849

Black-and-white studio portrait of a standing woman in a dark long-sleeved dress with a white collar, buttons down the bodice, and a tasseled key at her waist. Her hand rests on a draped chair; a hat and coat lie on a fringed stool, and a draped table stands at left against a plain backdrop with a column.Photograph

Primary source

Harriet Tubman

Harvey B. Lindsley · c. 1871-1876

Scan of a dark brown cloth book cover with a worn, faded light-colored title block at the top left, too faded to read clearly. The rest of the cover is plain, with a visible spine edge along the left side.Book

Secondary source

Harriet, the Moses of Her People

Sarah Bradford · 1886

Sepia carte-de-visite portrait of a seated Black woman in a dark long-sleeved dress with a white collar and a light checked skirt, leaning her arm on a spindle chair. Handwritten signature reads Harriet Tubman. Red and cream border.Photograph

Primary source

Carte-de-visite Portrait of Harriet Tubman

Benjamin Powelson · c. 1868-1869

Scanned handwritten General Affidavit form, filled in by hand, with a title printed at top. The text describes a claim for services as nurse and cook in hospitals and as commander of scouts during the Civil War. Signatures of affiants appear at the bottom, including Harriet Tubman's name and her mark.Document

Primary source

General Affidavit of Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman · 1898

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