The man who stole himself : the slave odyssey of Hans Jonathan

The island nation of Iceland is known for many things—majestic landscapes, volcanic eruptions, distinctive seafood—but racial diversity is not one of them. So the little-known story of Hans Jonathan, a free black man who lived and raised a family in early nineteenth-century Iceland, is improbable and compelling, the stuff of novels. In The Man Who Stole Himself, Gisli Palsson lays out the story of Hans Jonathan (also known as Hans Jónatan) in stunning detail. Born into slavery in St. Croix in 1784, Hans was taken as a slave to Denmark, where he eventually enlisted in the navy and fought on behalf of the country in the 1801 Battle of Copenhagen. After the war, he declared himself a free man, believing that he was due freedom not only because of his patriotic service, but because while slavery remained legal in the colonies, it was outlawed in Denmark itself. He thus became the subject of one of the most notorious slavery cases in European history, which he lost. Then Hans ran away—never to be heard from in Denmark again, his fate unknown for more than two hundred years. It’s now known that Hans fled to Iceland, where he became a merchant and peasant farmer, married, and raised two children. Today, he has become something of an Icelandic icon, claimed as a proud and daring ancestor both there and among his descendants in America. The Man Who Stole Himself brilliantly intertwines Hans Jonathan’s adventurous travels with a portrait of the Danish slave trade, legal arguments over slavery, and the state of nineteenth-century race relations in the Northern Atlantic world. Throughout the book, Palsson traces themes of imperial dreams, colonialism, human rights, and globalization, which all come together in the life of a single, remarkable man. Hans literally led a life like no other. His is the story of a man who had the temerity—the courage—to steal himself. Small, Insular Iceland Is Generally Thought To Be The Whitest Place On Earth. But In This Accessible Biography, Gisli Palsson Reveals The Improbable Story Behind The Rumors That A Free Black Man Lived And Raised A Family There In The Early Nineteenth Century. Palsson S Subject Is The Self-evidently Unique Hans Jonathan: Brought As A Slave From St. Croix To Denmark, He Fought For Denmark In The 1801 Battle Of Copenhagen, Declared Himself Free, Went On Trial, Was Found Guilty, And Ran Away, Never To Be Heard Of In Denmark For Nearly The Next 200 Years. Only Recently Did It Come To Light That He Was The Long-rumored Black Icelander. Today, Hans Jonathan Has Become Something Of Icon In Iceland, Claimed As A Proud And Daring Ancestor Both There And Among His Descendants In America. Hans Jonathan S Story Intertwines A Portrait Of The Danish Slave Trade, Legal Arguments Over Slavery, An Adventure Tale About His Escape And Travels, A Social Portrait Of Where He Wound Up, And Meditations On The Nature Of Biography And Geneaology. His Story Weaves Together Themes Of Imperial Dreams, Colonialism, Human Rights, And Globalizationall In A Single Eventful Life. This is the story of Hans Jonathan. Born into slavery in St. Croix in 1784, Hans was taken as a slave to Denmark, where he eventually enlisted in the navy and fought on behalf of the country in the 1801 Battle of Copenhagen. After the war, he declared himself a free man, believing that he was due freedom not only because of his patriotic service, but because while slavery was outlawed in Denmark itself. He thus became the subject of one of the most notorious slavery cases in European history, which he lost. Then Hans ran away--never to be heard from in Denmark again, his fate unknown for more than two hundred years. It's now known that Hans fled to Iceland, where he became a merchant and peasant farmer, married, and raised two children. This book intertwines his adventurous travels with a portrait of the Danish slave trade, legal arguments over slavery, and the state of nineteenth-century race relations in the Northern Atlantic world After being born into slavery in St. Croix in 1784, Hans was taken as a slave to Denmark. Having enlisted in the navy and fighting on behalf of Denmark, he declared himself a free man. When he lost one of the most notorious slavery cases in European history, Hans ran away--never to be heard from in Denmark again. After over two hundred years, it was discovered that he fled to Iceland, where he became a merchant and farmer, married, and raised two children. Today, he has become something of an Icelandic icon, claimed for his daring life and courage.--From front book flap. Prologue: a man of many worlds The island of St. Croix "A house negro" "The mulatto Hans Jonathan" "Said to be the secretary" Among the sugar barons Copenhagen A child near the royal palace "He wanted to go to war" The general's widow v. the mulatto The verdict Iceland A free man Mountain guide Factor, farmer, father Farewell Descendants The Jonathan family The Eirikssons of New England Who stole whom? The lessons of history Epilogue: biographies. Intro -- Contents -- Prologue: A Man of Many Worlds -- I. The Island of St. Croix -- II. Copenhagen -- III. Iceland -- IV. Descendants -- Epilogue: Biographies -- Timeline -- Acknowledgments -- Photo Catalog -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index