After being born into slavery in St. Croix in 1784, Hans was taken as a slave to Denmark. Having enlisted in the navy and fighting on behalf of Denmark, he declared himself a free man. When he lost one of the most notorious slavery cases in European history, Hans ran away--never to be heard from in Denmark again. After over two hundred years, it was discovered that he fled to Iceland, where he became a merchant and farmer, married, and raised two children. Today, he has become something of an Icelandic icon, claimed for his daring life and courage.--From front book flap.