2026 Revolutionary Reads Title Announced
Delaware County, PA — Each year, the Revolutionary Reads committee selects a title examining some aspect of the era of the American Revolution to be that year's Community Read. This year the committee has chosen Never Caught: the Washingtons' Relentless Pursuit of Their Runaway Slave, Ona Judge by Erica Armstrong Dunbar.
Erica Armstrong Dunbar is NEH Professor in the Humanities and Professor of African American studies at Emory University. Her first book was A Fragile Freedom: African American Women and Emancipation in the Antebellum City. Never Caught, her second book, was a finalist for the National Book Award in nonfiction and a winner of the Frederick Douglass Book Award. Dunbar has also written several highly accessible biographies including a young reader’s edition of Never Caught, She Came to Slay: The Life and Times of Harriet Tubman, and Susie King Taylor: Nurse, Teacher & Freedom Fighter. She has recently served as the Co-Executive Producer of the HBO series The Gilded Age.
Revolutionary Reads will culminate with a visit from the author on Tuesday, October 27 at 6:30 PM hosted by Widener University. This event is free and open to the public. Dunbar will discuss her book, which tells the story of Ona Judge, who left everything she knew to escape to New England and then became the subject of an intense manhunt, led by George Washington, in an attempt to recapture his property.
“Widener is delighted to host the Revolutionary Reads Community Read event for the fifth consecutive year and to welcome Dr. Erica Armstrong Dunbar to our campus. Her work exemplifies the power of scholarship to uncover stories that enrich our understanding of a pivotal period in American history,” said Widener University President Stacey Robertson. “I look forward to joining Dr. Dunbar in conversation and welcoming readers from across Delaware County for an evening of learning, reflection and community engagement.”
Revolutionary Reads will also include Book Club in a Bag totes for checkout at Delaware County Libraries locations, book clubs hosted at libraries and other organizations across Delaware County, and more. Check out a copy of the book today from your local library. The title is also available in Libby, DCL’s eBook and audiobook library.
“We are honored to welcome Erica Armstrong Dunbar for this, our fifth year of Revolutionary Reads and the year of the Semiquincentennial,” said Anny Laepple, Director of Delaware County Libraries. “Never Caught provides an enlightening look at a little-known figure in history and the circumstances surrounding her quest for freedom.”
The Revolutionary Reads Community Read is presented by Widener University, Delaware County Libraries, and Radnor Historical Society, in partnership with America250PADelco. It is supported by a grant from the Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial. More information can be found at https://www.delcolibraries.org/revolutionary-reads.
Widener University is a private institution known for its commitment to the personal and professional success of every student, where academic experiences are distinguished by excellence and students develop the leadership qualities employers seek. Core values of respect, integrity and excellence are reflected in an outstanding student experience provided through an agile, innovative and inclusive approach to learning. Industry-shaping faculty provide close, personal mentorship and share powerful connections that help students build professional networks. Recognized as one of the Philadelphia region’s leading universities, Widener offers programs and experiences that empower our community of learners to discover and create better futures as scholars, leaders and globally engaged citizens. Visit the university website at widener.edu.
Delaware County Libraries is an agency of county government that provides support services for 26 independent member libraries. For information about the wide range of library services available to all county residents, visit delcolibraries.org. Find More | Do More with the DelcoReads mobile app.
The Radnor Historical Society is committed to preserve, protect, present, and promote the history of Radnor Township. Since 1947, the Radnor Historical Society has been working to promote their mission. Volunteers help archive the collection, promote events, and maintain the Finley House. Visit their website at radnorhistory.org.