An early architect of what became the Underground Railroad was a former slave named Thomas Smallwood. Never heard of him? You're not alone. Former New York Times and Baltimore Sun correspondent and author Scott Shane wants to change that. His book, "Flee North: A Forgotten Hero and the Fight for Freedom in Slavery's Borderland," describes how Smallwood used his bravery and sharp wit to confound slaveowners nationwide. He may have been forgotten to history because his newspaper dispatches were written under a pseudonym, but his story, Shane says, must be told in order for slavery's full impact to be truly understood. Smallwood had to give up his efforts after he wound up in serious danger, but not before he saved dozens, if not hundreds of people, from a lifetime in bondage.

His website can be found at https://www.scottshane.org/

Scott Shane is on social media at https://twitter.com/scottshanenyt

Information on his book can be found at https://celadonbooks.com/authors/scott-shane/

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