“Fighters for Freedom” Across the Smithsonian: Nat Turner’s Bible

Mary Elliott, curator of slavery at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, answers the question, “What can this Bible tell us about Nat Turner?” Turner was a preacher who led a slave rebellion in 1831. Elliot discusses the Bible he was said to have been holding when he was captured and how he fought for freedom by any means necessary. This video includes graphic descriptions of violence and murder.

Artist William H. Johnson portrayed Nat Turner in a portrait he painted for his “Fighters for Freedom” series in the mid-1940s. The series celebrates African American activists, scientists, teachers, performers as well as international leaders working to bring peace to the world. This video accompanies SAAM’s exhibition “Fighters for Freedom: William H. Johnson Picturing Justice.” https://americanart.si.edu/exhibition...

William H. Johnson “Nat Turner” https://americanart.si.edu/artwork/na...
Bible belonging to Nat Turner https://nmaahc.si.edu/object/nmaahc_2...