441 The Escapes of David George

441 The Escapes of David George

From Ben Franklin's World by Liz Covart

May 19, 2026 · 1h 16m

About this episode

The episode explores the life of David George, an enslaved man who navigated multiple escapes and sought freedom during the Revolutionary War, featuring insights from historian Greg O'Malley.

When David George lay sick with smallpox in Savannah during the Revolutionary War, he faced three possible outcomes: death, re-enslavement, or freedom. Greg O'Malley, Professor of History at UC Santa Cruz, follows David George across six decades and three continents, from enslaved Virginia to the Muscogee Creek nation, and from British-occupied Georgia to Nova Scotia to Sierra Leone, in his new book, The Escapes of David George: An Odyssey of Slavery, Freedom, and the American Revolution. It's a story that will change how you think about what the Revolution actually delivered, and for whom. Greg’s Website | Book Show Notes: https://www.benfranklinsworld.com/403 EPISODE OUTLINE00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:14 Welcome to Ben Franklin's World 00:02:31 Introducing Greg O'Malley and David George 00:05:43 David George's Odyssey Begins 00:08:12 The Rare Narrative of David George 00:11:07 Authenticating David George's Voice 00:13:39 David George's Multiple Escapes from Slavery 00:20:30 David George's Conversion to Christianity 00:24:53 Why Baptist? The Appeal of Evangelical Faith 00:29:52 David George's Family and Name 00:37:12 Life in Nova Scotia as a Refugee Preacher 00:42:03 Journey to…

People in this episode

Host: Liz Covart

Guest: Greg O'Malley

Topics covered

  • David George's life
  • slavery
  • freedom
  • American Revolution
  • historical narratives
  • religion
  • refugee experiences

Keywords

  • David George
  • Greg O'Malley
  • slavery
  • freedom
  • American Revolution
  • historical narrative
  • religion
  • refugee
  • Muscogee Creek
  • Nova Scotia

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: UC Santa Cruz

Books & works: The Escapes of David George: An Odyssey of Slavery, Freedom, and the American Revolution

Places: Savannah, Virginia, Muscogee Creek nation, Georgia, Nova Scotia, Sierra Leone

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