Beyond the Cover: Unraveling Clotel; or, The President's Daughter

Beyond the Cover: Unraveling Clotel; or, The President's Daughter

by Shalarria Crook and Crissharia Harris

Tracing the Publication History

Clotel; or, The President's Daughter is a novel written by William Wells Brown, an African American abolitionist, physician, and author. It was first published in 1853, making it the first novel written by an African American.

This novel was published in London, as Brown faced difficulties finding a publisher in the United States due to the controversial nature of the content. The novel is often considered a work of historical fiction, and it explores the life of Currer, a mixed-race enslaved woman who is believed to be the daughter of Thomas Jefferson, and her daughters, including Clotel.

The novel was serialized in The National Era, an abolitionist newspaper, before publication as a book. Brown used the pseudonym "William H. Smith" for the initial publication, as he was a fugitive slave at the time, and he did not want to risk capture. Brown went on to publish three additional versions and with “each edition the author made changes to the characters and the narrative” (Mulder 1). For example, in the American editions, there is not a Jefferson storyline. This was because “he did not want the Jefferson controversy to overshadow his larger message, which was that slavery existed in large part because those men with the most power, influence, and moral credibility in U.S. society had refused to condemn it” (Mulder 1). However, in each novel, there was a consistent theme of providing insight into antebellum slave culture.

Today, this novel is widely studied in literature courses, particularly those focusing on African American literature, 19th-century American literature, and the abolitionist movement. The novel's themes and its status as the first novel by an African American author contribute to its enduring importance in the literary canon.

Critical Reception

Clotel; or The President's Daughter received attention for its powerful depiction of the harsh realities of slavery, as well as its critique of the institution, and its impact on individuals and families. The novel is often praised for its bold exploration of the complexities of race, class, and gender. However, due to its challenging themes and direct criticism of slavery, Clotel faced limited mainstream success during its initial publication. It was not widely reviewed at the time, and the book's controversial content likely contributed to its relative obscurity.

One predominant aspect of the novel's critical reception revolves around its authenticity, with some doubting its accuracy. This would particularly pertain to the claim that the main character was Thomas Jefferson’s daughter. A criticism states, “Indeed, despite all his other allusions, quotations, and references and despite the availability of newspaper accounts concerning Jefferson's having a daughter sold into slavery, Brown does not attempt to authenticate what would seem the single most important aspect of his narrative” (Schweninger 22). This critic suggests that this omission weakens Brown’s credibility. However, other critics such as W. Edward Farrison argue against this by stating, “He used them for their sensational value to illustrate the ironical inconsistencies that existed between the theories and the practices of soi-disant democratic American slaveholders, of whom the famous author of the Declaration of Independence might be taken, he thought, as an archetype” (Farrison 354). This would imply that Brown used these examples to illustrate the hypocrisy of individuals such as Jefferson who advocated for democracy but still engaged in slavery. Both sides of the argument are still largely debated.

Over time, scholars and literary critics have reevaluated works from the antebellum period, and the novel has gained recognition for its historical significance and its contribution to African American literature. It is now considered an important work that provides valuable insights into the experiences of enslaved individuals and the social and political climate of the time.

Works Cited

Bullen, Ross. “William Wells Brown, Wildcat Banker.” The Public Domain Review, publicdomainreview.org/essay/william-wells-brown-wildcat-banker/.

“Clotel; Or, the President’s Daughter | William Wells Brown | Lit2Go ETC.” Etc.usf.edu, etc.usf.edu/lit2go/161/clotel-or-the-presidents-daughter/.

Farrison, W. Edward. "The Origin of Brown's Clotel.” Phylon (1940-1956) 15.4 (1954): 347- 354. https://www.jstor.org/stable/272843

Mulder, Megan. “Clotelle, by William Wells Brown (1867).” ZSR Library, 26 Aug. 2013,
zsr.wfu.edu/2013/clotelle-by-william-wells- brown1867/

Schweninger, Lee. "Clotel and the Historicity of the Anecdote." Melus 24.1 (1999):
21-36. https://www.jstor.org/stable/467905

“Slave Auction Poster by Photo Researchers.” Fine Art America, fineartamerica.com/featured/slave-auction-photo- researchers.html?product=poster. Accessed 17 Feb. 2024.