Meet the Author: Cynthia Mestad Johnson at Barrington Public Library

Meet Cynthia Mestad Johnson, author of James DeWolfe and the Rhode Island Slave Trade on Wednesday, June 25 at Barrington Public Library.

Over thirty thousand slaves were brought to the shores of colonial America on ships owned and captained by James DeWolf. When the United States took action to abolish slavery, this Bristol native manipulated the legal system and became actively involved in Rhode Island politics in order to pursue his trading ventures. He served as a member of the House of Representatives in the state of Rhode Island and as a United States senator, all while continuing the slave trade years after passage of the Federal Slave Trade Act of 1808. DeWolf’s political power and central role in sustaining the state’s economy allowed him to evade prosecution from local and federal authorities—even on counts of murder.

Through archival records, author Cynthia Mestad Johnson uncovers the secrets of James DeWolf and tells an unsettling story of corruption and exploitation in the Ocean State from slave ships to politics.

A California native, Cynthia Mestad Johnson became the first female recipient of a graduate degree in history from California State University San Marcos. She lives in Carlsbad, California with her family. James DeWolfe and the Rhode Island Slave Trade  was published April 1, 2014 by The History Press. To learn more about the book visit dewolfslavetrade.org

Free and open to all. Books will be available for purchase at this event.

Barrington Public Library is located at 281 County Road, Barrington, RI. Visit on the web at www.barringtonlibrary.org or call 401-247-1920 or find on Facebook.