Skip to main content

Secondary sourceBook1863

The Black Man: Dessalines

William Wells Brown · 1863

A short 1863 biographical sketch of Dessalines by African American abolitionist William Wells Brown.

A biographical sketch of Dessalines written by an American abolitionist decades after his death.

Ask Jean-Jacques Dessalines about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Full text (Wikisource)

About this source

What it is

Written in 1863 by William Wells Brown, an American abolitionist and former enslaved person, this short biography describes the life of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, including his origins in Africa, his enslavement in Saint-Domingue, his rise through the ranks under Toussaint Louverture, and his physical appearance and character.

Why it matters

Brown wrote decades after Dessalines' death, using earlier accounts to present him as part of a series on notable Black historical figures. It shows how abolitionists in the United States used Dessalines' story to argue for the capabilities and achievements of Black people during the era of American slavery.

Look closer

  • Why might Brown have chosen to write about Dessalines in 1863, during the American Civil War?
  • What details does Brown include about Dessalines' character and appearance, and why might he include them?
  • How might this account differ from the hostile pamphlets written by Dessalines' enemies?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Jean-Jacques Dessalines on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More Jean-Jacques Dessalines sources

Meet the AI Jean-Jacques Dessalines →
Scan of a printed broadside headed 'Armée Indigène' with 'Liberté ou la Mort' above. It has three columns of French text, a signature block of names including Dessalines, and a footer reading 'Au Port-au-Prince, de l'imprimerie du gouvernement'.Document

Primary source

Haitian Declaration of Independence

Louis Boisrond-Tonnerre · 1 January 1804

Title page of the 1805 Constitution of Hayti, printed in French with the heading 'CONSTITUTION D'HAYTI' over a list of names and preamble text, with red library stamps in the upper area. Page is aged and tan-colored.Document

Primary source

Constitution of Hayti

Jean-Jacques Dessalines · 1805

Black-and-white engraving titled DESALINES. A man in a tricorn hat with feathers raises a curved sword in one hand and holds a severed head with curly hair in the other. A woman's body lies on rocks at right, with tents and figures in the background.Painting

Secondary source

Desalines

Manuel López López · 1806

Large painting of two uniformed men standing either side of a stone tablet inscribed with text, hands on it, under a radiant figure of an old bearded God with outstretched arms in clouds above, with the Hebrew letters of the divine name. Chains lie on the ground at their feet; a battle scene and crowd fill the background.Painting

Secondary source

The Oath of the Ancestors

Guillaume Guillon-Lethière · 1822

Front cover of a worn, dark red leather-bound book, shown against a pale background. The cover is scuffed and faded, with a small lighter mark near the center and a raised spine edge on the left side. No title or text is visible.Book

Secondary source

La vie de J.J. Dessalines, chef des noirs révoltés de Saint-Domingue

Louis Dubroca · 1804

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Jean-Jacques Dessalines now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions