Sojourner Truth, born into slavery, was a 19th century activist for racial justice, women's rights, and a popular speaker on reform and religion. For more detailed information on her life, here are some recommended biographies of Sojourner Truth for adults and children, as well as several good versions of Sojourner Truth's autobiography. I've also included links to posters and gifts featuring Sojourner Truth.
Sojourner Truth: A Life, a Symbol
Nell Irvin Painter. A quite readable and well-researched biography of Sojourner Truth which examines Truth's life story as well as the ways in which it has been used and manipulated for various purposes -- by Truth herself, by Harriet Beecher Stowe and Frances Dana Gage, and others. Includes a good treatment of Truth's famous "Ain't I a Woman" speech, as reported by Gage and others.
Sojourner Truth: Slave, Prophet, Legend
Carleton Mabee, Susan Mabee Newhouse. A 1995 biography of Sojourner Truth which attempts to sort out myth and fact in the life of an ex-slave who became a well-known public figure.Glorying in Tribulation: The Lifework of Sojourner Truth
Erlene Stetson, Linda David. Sojourner Truth's life story was part of her public persona, and she managed her presentation of that story quite deliberately, including shaping it to fit her oratory needs. This biography looks carefully at how Sojourner Truth managed this presentation of her life story, and how her presentation matched -- or didn't -- the discoverable facts about her life.Sojourner Truth As Orator: Wit, Story, and Song
Suzanne Pullon Fitch. This scholarly work includes not only a good biographical study of Sojourner Truth, but also a serious consideration of how Sojourner Truth used oratory and the spoken word to create her public popularity and win an audience for her views. The book also includes copies of a number of speeches, songs, and public letters by Sojourner Truth.Narrative of Sojourner Truth; A Bondswoman of Olden Time, With a History of ...
Introduction by Nell Irvin Painter. This edition of Sojourner Truth's autobiography also includes, besides the excellent introduction, some letters of Sojourner Truth, Frances Dana Gage's controversial rendering of Truth's "Ain't I a Woman?" speech, and Harriet Beecher Stowe's profile of Sojourner Truth.The Narrative of Sojourner Truth (Dover Thrift Editions)
The most economical print version of Sojourner Truth's autobiography.Sojourner Truth: Abolitionist and Women's Rights Advocate
Catherine Bernard. Age: Young adult. Part of the Historical American Biographies series. This biography of Sojourner Truth includes her work against slavery and also her involvement in the women's rights movement.Only Passing Through: The Story of Sojourner Truth
Anne Rockwell. Ages 9-12. Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie. New York Times Book Review named this one of the Best Illustrated Children's Books of 2000. Also named a 2001 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book.