The Dred Scott case was the straw that broke the camel’s back. America spent the first half of the nineteenth century grappling with the issue of slavery and how the peculiar institution would be handled. Scott v. Sanford was the culmination of Freedom Suits as slaves who were brought into free territory were taking to the courts to achieve emancipation. The decision of the United States Supreme Court plunged the nation headlong into Civil War and the more important work of setting forth the citizenship rights of African Americans.

This episode features the voice talents of Yvonne Godfrey, Esq. as President Abraham Lincoln; Saundra M. Davis, Esq. as Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, and Derrick Alexander Pope, J.D. as President Ulysses S. Grant.

Excerpts of dramatic portrayal of Dred Scott and Harriett Scott from "A Bid for Freedom," used by permission from the National Park Service/Gateway Arch National Park.

Hidden Legal FiguresDerrick Alexander Pope, J.D., HostTerrass Misher, ProducerMarvin Cummings, Special Voice Cover

To find out more about Hidden Legal Figures, or to support the podcast, go www.hiddenlegalfigures.com.

Be sure to catch REVEALED: BEHIND THE HIDDEN LEGAL FIGURES podcast blog post each Wednesday for more in-depth information about the historical figures in this episode and watch the "What I Learned" video on YouTube each Thursday.

Join us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/hidden_legal_figures and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/HLFpodcast

Hidden Legal Figures is licensed for the exclusive use of The Arc of Justice Institute, Inc. The Arc of Justice Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, public educational institution. Hidden Legal Figures: The Podcast copyright © 2020 by Derrick Alexander Pope. All rights reserved.