Twelve Years a SlaveBy: Solomon Northup Born a free man in New York State in 1808, Solomon Northup was kidnapped in Washington, D. C., in 1841. He spent the next twelve years as a slave on a Louisiana cotton plantation. During this time he was frequently abused and often afraid for his life. After regaining his freedom in 1853, Northup published this gripping account of his captivity. As an educated man, Northup was able to present an exceptionally detailed description