Tom Molineaux (1784–1818)
Hand-colored etching
Accession number: 2002.351
Born a slave on a Virginia plantation, Tom Molineaux (1784–1818) fought fellow slaves
while plantation owners wagered on the contests. After winning one of these matches against a
rival, Molineaux was granted his freedom and the sum of $500. By 1809, he had traveled to New
York and subsequently to England where he pursued a title in London's boxing rings. Two notorious
fights with English champion Tom Cribb in 1810 and 1811 won him a place in boxing history. Molineaux
is considered the second notable American boxer, preceded by his Virginia-born trainer, Bill Richmond. A hand-colored etching
of Molineaux at an English boxing match (London, 1812) is now part of the VHS collection. Purchased with funds provided by the
Carrie Wheeler Buck Fund.
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