The Confessions of Nat Turner, the Leader of the Late Insurrection in Southampton, Virginia

By Nat Turner

Edited by Thomas R. Gray

34 pp., 6 x 9, 1 illus

  • Paperback ISBN: 978-0-8078-6945-1
    Published: September 2011
  • E-book EPUB ISBN: 978-0-8078-6946-8
    Published: September 2011
  • E-book PDF ISBN: 979-8-8908-4311-1
    Published: September 2011

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A DocSouth Book, Distributed for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Library

Perhaps no other moment in history crystallized the fears of slave owners in the South like the August 21-22, 1831, slave insurrection led by Nat Turner in Southampton, Virginia. The Confessions of Nat Turner details Turner's life and the events surrounding that armed revolt, which left more than fifty men, women, and children dead and that culminated in Turner's execution. Interviewed by Thomas R. Gray while in prison for his crimes, Turner begins his story with his earliest childhood memories, and the subsequent narrative leads the reader through his decision, formed over years in slavery, to strike for freedom. He discusses his religious conversion and his belief that he was called by God to murder slave owners. He spares no detail as he describes each murder he oversaw or committed. Unique in its historical moment and powerful voice, The Confessions of Nat Turner provides an uncensored look into one of the key events in the slave-holding South.

A DOCSOUTH BOOK. This collaboration between UNC Press and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Library brings classic works from the digital library of Documenting the American South back into print. DocSouth Books uses the latest digital technologies to make these works available in paperback and e-book formats. Each book contains a short summary and is otherwise unaltered from the original publication. DocSouth Books provide affordable and easily accessible editions to a new generation of scholars, students, and general readers.

About the Author

Nat Turner was born into slavery in Virginia. In 1831, he led one of the deadliest slave insurrections in American history.
For more information about Nat Turner, visit the Author Page.