In the Storymap "Esther's Escape of 1855," student researcher Julia Feller explores the history of self-liberation and St. Louis' Underground Railroad through the heroic and tragic story of Esther. Born into slavery ca. 1811, Esther was one of several people enslaved by WashU benefactor Henry Shaw (founder of the Dept. of Botany), and who fled in search of freedom in 1855 (Photo: Mary Meachum Crossing, St. Louis, MO, courtesy of author).
