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AAS/EN 4343
Studies in African American Literature
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:
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): 347354. 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
21-36. https://www.jstor.org/stable/467905
Anecdote." Melus 24.1 (1999):
“Slave Auction Poster by Photo Researchers.” Fine Art America,
fineartamerica.com/featured/slave-auction-photoresearchers.html?product=poster. Accessed 17 Feb. 2024.
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.
Studies in African American Literature
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:
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): 347354. 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
21-36. https://www.jstor.org/stable/467905
Anecdote." Melus 24.1 (1999):
“Slave Auction Poster by Photo Researchers.” Fine Art America,
fineartamerica.com/featured/slave-auction-photoresearchers.html?product=poster. Accessed 17 Feb. 2024.
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.