Thomas Lewis Johnson — God Knows All About It

London, Morgan & Scott, [c1890s]. Brochure/Pamphlet. A very scarce pamphlet containing a religious poem by ex-slave Thomas Lewis Johnson. A very scarce pamphlet containing a religious poem by ex-slave Thomas Lewis Johnson. Born into slavery in Virginia in 1836, and soon separated from his family, Johnson grew up increasingly interested in Christianity. After Emancipation, Thomas moved to England to achieve his intentions of becoming a missionary in Africa and was one of the first black men to attend Spurgeon's College for his theological education. After working as a missionary for several years in Africa, Johnson travelled throughout the United States and Europe before settling in Bournemouth. He is best known for his biography, Twenty Eight Years a Slave. A prior owner has inscribed the words 'by a slave' in ink to the front page. Undated. Date estimated from BBC records of his movements. Johnson settled in Bournemouth around the 1890s, and the poem was published by Bournemouth publishers A. Sutton & Co. A blue bifolium. Externally, smart, with just a little discolouration to the edges of the pamphlet. Internally, pages are bright and clean. Very Good . Ill.: None. Very Good .