# Father Henson’s Story of His Own Life — Character guide

> Key figures in Father Henson’s Story of His Own Life by Josiah Henson.

- [Josiah Henson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/characters/josiah_henson.md): Born enslaved in Maryland, he turns remembered brutality into a lifelong testimony, becoming a preacher and Underground Railroad conductor in Canada.
- [Amos Riley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/characters/amos_riley.md): A slaveholder whose whims and debts scatter Josiah's family, forcing the narrator to weigh obedience against the survival of those he loves.
- [Isaac Riley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/characters/isaac_riley.md): Amos's brother and Josiah's immediate master, a man whose violence and financial ruin make every season on his farm a gamble with separation.
- [Charlotte](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/characters/charlotte.md): Josiah's wife, whose steadiness across forced separations turns a marriage into a quiet act of resistance and a destination worth escaping toward.
- [James Lightfoot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/characters/james_lightfoot.md): A fellow enslaved traveler whose companionship on the road tests how much trust one man can extend to another under constant threat.
- [Mr. Francis Newman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/characters/mr_francis_newman.md): The Maryland farmer who owns Josiah's father and later employs him, embodying the unreliable kindness that makes bondage feel almost bearable.
- [Samuel Gurney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/characters/samuel_gurney.md): Gurney belongs to the network of English abolitionists and Quaker reformers who receive Henson when he carries his community's freedom and its debts across the Atlantic. His wealth and reputation give Henson access to au
- [Bryce Litton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/characters/bryce_litton.md): A slave trader who purchases Josiah and takes him south.
- [Mr. Hibbard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/characters/mr_hibbard.md): A white man who hires Josiah and treats him relatively well.
- [Little Tom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/characters/little_tom.md): A young enslaved boy who becomes a friend to Josiah in childhood.
- [David](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/characters/david.md): Josiah's brother, also enslaved, who appears early in the narrative.
- [Robb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/characters/robb.md): A fellow enslaved man on the Riley plantation.
- [Mrs. Riley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/characters/mrs_riley.md): Wife of Amos Riley, who manages the household slaves.
- [Mr. Frank Taylor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/characters/mr_frank_taylor.md): A white man who assists Josiah during his escape.
- [Amos Lawrence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/characters/amos_lawrence.md): A Massachusetts philanthropist who supports abolitionist causes.
- [Victoria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/characters/victoria.md): Queen Victoria, mentioned in connection with Josiah's visit to England.
- [Dr. Josiah McPherson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/characters/dr_josiah_mcpherson.md): A doctor who treats Josiah after a severe injury.
- [Lord John Russell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/characters/lord_john_russell.md): British statesman who meets Josiah during his London visit.

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