The 272: The Families Who were Enslaved and Sold to Build The American Catholic Church is a nonfiction book written by Rachel L. Swarns and released on June 13, 2023, by Random House. It covers the history of and intersection of the author's family with the 1838 Jesuit slave sale.
Synopsis In 1838, prominent Catholic leaders of the Jesuits Order sold 272 enslaved people to fund Georgetown University. The book chronicles the history behind this event by following an enslaved family for almost 200 years. This book also shows how the Catholic Church in the United States depended on slave labor to run its institutions and grow its influence.
Accolades Chosen as a notable book of the year by The New York Times, in the nonfiction category. Also, chosen as a best book of year by The New Yorker and The Washington Post.
See also 1838 Jesuit slave sale History of slavery in Maryland
References
External links
The 272. Rachel Swarns, public speaker. Politics and Prose Bookstore, Washington, D.C. Video, C-Span, June 16, 2023. The 272. "Historically Speaking," The Smithsonian. Video, July 20, 2023.
Further reading