The Story Of George Moses Horton, Enslaved NC Poet Turned Published Author

By Anita Rao,

Phoebe Judge

Published September 3, 2015 at 12:18 PM EDT

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'Poet' looks at the life of poet George Moses Horton

Don Tate

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An illustration by Don Tate in his book 'Poet'

Don Tate

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Don Tate is the author and illustrator of 'Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton.'

Sam Bond

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A portion of George Moses Horton's poem 'The Musical Chamber'

North Carolina Collection, Wilson Library

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An acrostic poem titled 'Mr. Davenport's Address to his Lady.' The first letters of each line spell Doctrine Davenport, who, presumably was Mr. Davenport's lady.

Pettigrew Family Papers, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library

George Moses Horton was born into slavery in Northampton County, N.C. in the late 18^th century. He was enslaved in rural Chatham County for most of his life, yet he built a remarkable career for himself off the plantation.

As a child, George secretly taught himself how to read, and as a teenager he began making trips to Chapel Hill where he composed poems for students on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus.

Horton eventually became the first African American in the South to publish a book, and many of his works are now housed at UNC-Chapel Hill’s Wilson Library.

The new children’s book “Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton” (Peachtree Publishers/2015) tells the story of George Moses Horton and celebrates his lasting legacy.

Guest host Phoebe Judge talks to author and illustrator Don Tate, and North Carolina Collection curator Bob Anthony about the collection of George Moses Horton works at UNC. Tate launches his book at UNC-Chapel Hill's Wilson Library tonight at 5 p.m.