Originally published in order to raise money to purchase his son's freedom, Thomas Jones's autobiography first appeared in the 1850s. This version, published in

A foundling of mysterious parentage brought up by Mr. Allworthy on his country estate, Tom Jones is deeply in love with the seemingly unattainable Sophia Wester

The autobiographies of former slaves contributed powerfully to the abolitionist movement in the United States, fanning national--even international--indignation