The James McCune Smith Prize: Creative Writing in Black History
In honor of Black History Month, the prestigious University of Glasgow presents The James McCune Smith Prize for Creative Writing in Black History and Literature. Participants are tasked with crafting a compelling narrative about Ann, a black slave who escaped from Dr. Gustavus Brown in 18th-century Scotland. Explore Ann's journey, motivations, and possible outcomes in this poignant creative writing challenge.
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The James McCune Smith Prize for Creative Writing in Black History and Literature
Introduction In celebration of Black History Month the University of Glasgow are proud to introduce The James McCune Smith Prize for Creative Writing in Black History and Literature. This has been developed so that the creative piece you write for the prize can also be submitted as part of your Higher English folio. The best pieces will be published in a short book, and winners will receive copies.
The Writing Prompt The handout in front of you details the story of Ann. Ann was a black slave owned by Dr Gustavus Brown, and while visiting Scotland in the early 18thcentury, she escaped - but where did she go? The only evidence we have of her existence, her whole life, is the runaway advertisement her owner took out when she escaped. We don t know if she managed to live freely in Scotland or if she was captured and returned to America. We want you to write a creative piece on Ann, and her experiences.
Responses could consider: Why had Dr Brown taken this teenager away from her family and friends and brought her to Scotland? It was unusual to place collars on slaves, especially in Britain, so why had Dr Brown done this to Ann? Had she tried to escape before, and was he marking her as his property? Or was he showing off his success to his Scottish friends and family, showing them that he was wealthy enough to own a slave?
Responses could consider: What caused Ann to want to escape from Dr Brown? What did she hope to achieve by escaping, and did she plan to spend her life in Scotland? Did she succeed, and spend the rest of her life in Scotland, perhaps raising a family here? Or was she recaptured, and did Dr Brown take her back to his American plantation where she may have become a mother, and eventually a grandmother? What kind of stories could Ann have told people in Scotland about the life of a slave in America, and what kind of stories could she have told slaves in America about life in Scotland?
Criteria These pieces of creative writing must be no shorter than 650 words long, and no longer than 1,300 words. Use a simple, plain, standard font, such as Times New Roman or Arial Use point size 12 Use alignment left or justified Use margins 2cm all round Use line spacing at 1.5 or 2 Use print colour black, except possibly for any images Each school can submit 10 entries.
Anns runaway advert Edinburgh Evening Courant, 9-13 February, 1727, p.4. Run away from the 7thInstant from Dr Gustavus Brown s Lodgings in Glasgow, a Negro Woman, named Ann, being about 18 years of Age, with a Green Gown and a Brass Collar around her Neck, which are engraved with the Words [ Gustavus Brown in Dalkieth his Negro, 1726. ] Whoever apprehends her, so as she may be recovered, shall have Two Guineas Reward, and necessary Charges, allowed by Laurence Dinwiddie Junior Merchant in Glasgow, or by James Mitchellson, Jeweller in Edinburgh.
Resources On the Pupil section of the website you can download a document that contains: A short introduction to Ann and Dr Brown Background and context what was the situation in Britain in the 18thcentury, why was there slavery and who was involved Quotes from the 18thcentury describing the conditions slaves faced
Resources There is also a list of websites containing more information about the slave trade, slavery, and Britain during this period. TV shows that cover the 18thcentury and can give you an insight into this period include Poldark and Outlander, and films such as Amistad and Amazing Grace and Belle show aspects of the slavery situation. Roots and 12 Years a Slave paint excellent pictures of what slavery was like in North America and the Caribbean, but this was very different from the situation in Britain.
