Hiding by day, running by night, living off prayers and will, thousands of slaves had to risk all they had in order to achieve what others are given at birth-freedom. The Underground Railroad is an intimate view of the experiences, heartaches, and triumphs of those who used the system. Told by the father of the system himself, The Underground Railroad is a collection of records kept by author William Still. Using narratives, letters, facts and first-hand accounts all witnessed by Still, The Underground Railroad tells the stories of hundreds of those who escaped slavery, offering readers a close and historically accurate look into the lives of slaves fighting for refuge.
William Still (1821-1902) was an abolitionist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Known as the "father of the Underground Railroad," Still gave hundreds of escaped slaves refuge. He was a historian, writer, civil rights activist, and businessman. Still also worked for the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society as a clerk. In 1847, Still married Letitia George, and together they had four children, one of which went on to become a notable doctor. Still published his book The Underground Railroad in 1872, detailing the experiences he witnessed while serving as a conductor of the Underground Railroad.