Uncle’s Tom Cabin was written by Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811–1896) and first published in March 1852 to inform readers of the appalling realities of American slavery. The exhibit will take place at the National Museum of African American History and Culture to show the early and notable editions of the novel in the library’s collection, as well as its interesting publishing history. The novel was a bestseller for well over 30 years after it was first published and has continued to inspire numerous other publications and works of art.  More information.

The image is from the 1879 Houghton, Osgood illustrated edition of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, or, Life Among the Lowly. (From Smithsonian website)