In an essay as part of the RH Pamphlet Collection, 2023 Exemplary Project Grant recipient Alexandre Saint-Sauveur describes his experience as a research assistant to Gerard Aching, Professor of Africana and Romance Studies at Cornell University and Convener of the Underground Railroad Research Project.
Saint-Sauveur explored a particular interest in local Ithaca and upstate NY history including the prominent landmarks of the St. James AME Zion church in Ithaca, and the Harriet Tubman home in Auburn, NY, but also chose to focus most of his research on a specific individual, Rev. Henry Johnson, who happened to be buried in the Ithaca Cemetery.
"I was intrigued by the mysteriousness and myths surrounding Henry Johnson and excited to do research that would require 'more detective work,' as Prof. Aching put it," said Saint-Sauveur.
Given that this was my first time doing historical, hands-on research of this kind, I found it exhilarating to uncover new information about an individual who was, for the most part, unknown.
Click to read the essay booklet online!
Saint-Sauveur became fascinated with uncovering more about this mysterious individual, and with help from the local archivists at the History Center in Tompkins County, he learned much more about Henry Johnson's life and involvement with St. James.
"Through my research of Henry Johnson, I learned that researching the Underground Railroad requires a deep dive beneath the surface of historical knowledge. It requires using both traditional and nontraditional research methods to uncover stories..."
Funded by the Rural Humanities initiative, Exemplary Project Grants showcase Cornell student projects and community collaborations, specifically those works in the in public and digital humanities.
Alexandre Saint-Sauveur is a junior at Horace Mann School in the Bronx, New York. He wrote this essay as part of his internship as research assistant to Gerard Aching, Professor of Africana and Romance Studies at Cornell University and Convener of the Underground Railroad Research Project.
