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Josiah Henson

Josiah Henson (June 15, 1789May 5, 1883) was born into slavery in Charles County, Maryland. He escaped to Canada in 1830, and founded a settlement and labourer's school for other fugitive slaves at Dawn, Ontario . Henson's autobiography is believed to have inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin. He died at Dresden, Ontario .

Josiah Henson is the first black person to be featured on a Canadian stamp. He was also honoured by the government of Canada when in 1999, they erected a plaque designating Henson as a Canadian of National Historical Significance.

Matthew Henson, the arctic explorer is Josiah Henson’s Great-Grand Nephew.

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Last updated: 05-07-2005 11:43:20
Last updated: 05-13-2005 07:56:04