# Isaac Riley — Father Henson’s Story of His Own Life character guide

> Isaac Riley in Father Henson’s Story of His Own Life by Josiah Henson.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Riley, old Riley, Isaac

**First appearance:** 0002-i-my-birth-and-childhood

## Who they are

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.

## Relationships

### [Amos Riley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/characters/amos_riley)

_family_

Amos and Isaac Riley are brothers, with Isaac being a cruel slaveholder and Amos often acting as his agent.

## In the story

### [Father Henson's Story of His Own Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/father-henson-s-story-of-his-own-life)

The master who inherited Josiah and his family after Dr. McPherson's death, known for his cruelty.

### [My First Great Trial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/ii-my-first-great-trial)

Purchases Charlotte at auction, violently kicks her when she begs him to buy her son, and later buys Josiah cheaply from Robb.

### [My Boyhood and Youth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/iii-my-boyhood-and-youth)

Referred to as 'old Riley' and 'master'; portrayed as a brutal and blasphemous slaveholder who curses Josiah despite his hard work.

### [V: Maimed for Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/v-maimed-for-life)

Brother of Amos Riley; Bryce Litton is his overseer.

### [A Responsible Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/vi-a-responsible-journey)

Josiah's master, ruined by a lawsuit and drink; begs Josiah to save his slaves by taking them to Kentucky.

### [VII: A New Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/vii-a-new-home)

Original master; remains in Maryland and sends an agent to sell his slaves except Henson's family.

### [Return to Maryland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/viii-return-to-maryland)

Greets Henson with false friendliness, confiscates his pass, and later cheats him out of his freedom.

### [X: A Terrible Temptation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/x-a-terrible-temptation)

Mentioned as one of the masters who betrayed Josiah, contributing to his rage.

### [XI: Providential Deliverance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/xi-providential-deliverance)

Old master who conspired to sell Josiah; referenced as having broken his bargain and attempted to kidnap Josiah.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/characters/isaac_riley
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/characters