New York Times publishes 12 Years a Slave correction after 161 years

After 161 years, the New York Times has published a correction to an article on the case portrayed in the Oscar-winning film 12 Years a Slave.

The story published on January 20, 1853, chronicles the kidnapping and enslavement of a free black man named Solomon Northup.

In the piece Northup’s name was misspelled twice, as Northrop and Northrup.

The error was discovered after a digital copy circulated in recent days.

Rebecca Skloot, author of the best-selling non-fiction book The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, brought the initial error to light, tweeting a link to the story on Monday.

The correction was published in Tuesday’s New York Times.

12 Years a Slave won three Oscars on Sunday: Best Picture, Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay) and Best Actress in a Supporting Role by Lupita Nyong’o.