This 19th-Century Diary Written by an Enslaved Maryland Man Is a Crucial Record of His Life and Family History—and the Only One of Its Kind Found in the United States
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Adam Francis Plummer, an enslaved Maryland man, kept a diary from 1841 to 1941. He recorded his life, family history, and daily activities. This diary is the only one of its kind found in the United States.
Reported by 1 outlet — Smithsonian. See all sources ↓
Adam Francis Plummer was an enslaved man in Maryland. He was born in 1819 and learned to read and write. He kept a diary for 60 years, from 1841 to 1941.
Why it matters
This diary is important because it is a rare record of an enslaved person's life in the United States. It helps us understand their experiences and history.
- Who was Adam Francis Plummer?
- He was an enslaved man in Maryland.
- Why is his diary important?
- It is a rare record of an enslaved person's life in the United States.
- How long did he keep a diary?
- He kept a diary for 60 years, from 1841 to 1941.
How outlets are framing the same story
These are the main editorial angles found across reporting. Use them to quickly compare what different outlets emphasize, omit, or question.
The outlets frame the story as a significant historical discovery, highlighting the importance of the diary as a record of an enslaved person's life.
- Coverage cardFraming signal1AngleScouting report
The discovery of a rare diary written by an enslaved person
Sources1TypeAngleSmithsonianemphasizes the diary's historical significance