# Henry B. Northup — Twelve Years a Slave character guide

> Henry B. Northup in Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Northup, Northup, Henry, Harry, Henry B., Mr. Henry B. Northup

**First appearance:** 0004-i

## Snapshot

The Sandy Hill lawyer whose family once owned Solomon's father, and who now uses that connection to pursue Solomon's rescue with dogged determination.

## Who they are

Henry B. Northup is a white attorney and relative of the family that held Solomon's ancestors in bondage, a fact that gives him both access and obligation. He takes up Solomon's cause not as a distant philanthropist but as a man bound by history, corresponding with officials, tracing records, and navigating the legal machinery of a slaveholding state. His perseverance matters because it transforms Solomon's story from a tale of endurance into one of deliverance, proving that the ties between the two families run deeper than ownership.

## Relationships

### [Solomon Northup](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/characters/solomon_northup)

_family_

Henry is Solomon's loyal friend and relative who travels to Louisiana to rescue him from slavery.

## In the story

### [Twelve Years a Slave](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/chapters/twelve-years-a-slave)

Friend and relative who travels to Louisiana to rescue Solomon.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/chapters/i)

Relative of the Northup family and attorney who later secures Solomon's rescue.

### [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/chapters/xiii)

One of Phebe's children, age twenty-three, unremarkable.

### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/chapters/xxi)

The agent appointed by the governor to secure Solomon's restoration; travels to Louisiana and orchestrates the legal proceedings.

### [Chapter XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/chapters/xxii)

Acts as counsel for Solomon during the legal proceedings in Washington.

### [Appendix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/chapters/appendix)

Affiant and key figure in the legal proceedings to rescue Solomon and bring charges against Burch.

### [Legal Proceedings and Affidavits](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/chapters/b)

Deposes to receiving a letter from Solomon after his kidnapping and is appointed as the state agent to effect Solomon's restoration.

### [Chapter C: The Legal Emancipation of Solomon Northup](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/chapters/c)

Appears as the agent of the State of New York, authorized by Governor Washington Hunt to pursue and recover Solomon Northup from slavery.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/characters/henry_b_northup
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/characters