About the talk:
The life of Betsey Stockton is a story of literacy. She was born into bondage, owned by Robert Stockton of Princeton, New Jersey. At an early age, Stockton was given to Robert’s daughter Elizabeth and her husband Ashbel Green, who would go on to become the eighth President of Princeton University. In the Green household, Stockton learned to read. Literacy would liberate Stockton - unleashing her intellect and leading to the worlds of missionary work and education. She would spend the rest of her life teaching literacy - from the Sandwich Islands, to Philadelphia, New York, Canada and ultimately back to Princeton, New Jersey. Author Constance Escher has traced Stockton’s life, conducting research at Princeton University Library, Princeton Public Library, and Princeton Theological Seminary Library, and joins us to discuss the legacy of this remarkable woman. Materials used in Escher’s research from PUL’s Special Collections will be on display, including Ashbel Gre