The feelings of joy, love and gratitude a man must feel at being able to gaze upon the faces of several generations of his progeny has to be a pure emotion. The name of Solomon Northup, the author who wrote the memoir 12 Years a Slave, has been thrust into the spotlight because of the Oscar worthy film. Although he died in 1863, his family was brought together by the staff of The Hollywood Reporter in a homage to five generations of his descendants from three different cities in America. The beautiful part is that despite his hardships and trials, his offspring continued on with all shades and colors represented within the tapestry. It is like looking at a photo of America. To see what we mean, click here.