Harriet Beecher Stowe
A pivotal work in American literature, this novel powerfully portrays the brutal realities of slavery in the 19th century. Through the story of Uncle Tom, an enslaved man of deep faith, and the people around him, Stowe exposes the inhumanity of the institution of slavery. The novel played a significant role in shaping public opinion before the Civil War and remains a profound reflection on morality, compassion, and justice.