John Brown
John Brown was a leading figure in the abolitionist movement in the pre-Civil War United States.
War Hero
May 9, 1800
Taurus
December 02, 1859
59
Torrington, Connecticut
John Brown was a prominent American abolitionist known for his militant actions against slavery, including his infamous raid on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry in 1859. This event not only solidified his status as an antislavery martyr but also intensified the sectional tensions that ultimately led to the American Civil War. As a key figure in the abolitionist movement, Brown’s actions forced the United States to confront the immorality of slavery. In addition to his more aggressive tactics, Brown was also involved in the Underground Railroad, aiding escaped slaves on their journey to freedom and providing them shelter in his home. One notable example of his efforts occurred in 1851 when he helped rescue a family of slaves from Missouri.
