The Freedmen's Book

Published in 1865, The Freedmen's Book is a collection of stories, poems, and essays aimed at educating newly-freed Black people in the aftermath of the Civil War. The book was edited by abolitionist and author Lydia Maria Child, who saw education as a key element in the struggle for Black freedom and equality. The Freedmen's Book remains a valuable artifact of the early years of Reconstruction and a testament to the importance of education in the fight for social justice.