Between History and Revolution: Toussaint and Isaac Louverture's Memoirs

A series of events led by slaves transformed the French colony of Saint-Domingue into the independent nation of Haiti in 1804. One name stands out in history: Toussaint Louverture (1743-1803). This lecture explores the historical, political, and judicial impact of Toussaint’s memoirs, written by him while in captivity at Fort de Joux in September 1802, a few months before his death. It will compare these memoirs with the famous memoirs (1818) of his son Isaac, who considered himself the one and only legitimate heir to Toussaint’s heroic achievement in Saint-Domingue.