Selling Captain Riley, 1816-1859: How Did His 'Narrative' Become so Well Known?

James Riley's extraordinary tale of shipwreck, enslavement, and liberation captivated many American readers in the nineteenth century. Asking how Riley and his tale became so well known in the United States--the Narrative may have been a looming bestseller in the middle months of 1817, but popular interest quickly waned--this essay examines claims of sales and readership, finding that these are not the source of its cultural significance. Popular awareness of Riley and his account of African geography and portrayal of Islamic and Jewish life was fueled by extensive press coverage and eventual anthologizing in children's literature.