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John Brown

Abolitionist John Brown

Profession: Abolitionist

Nationality:
United States of America
American

Biography: John Brown believed armed insurrection was the only way to overthrow the institution of slavery in the United States.

Brown was at the forefront of a number of incidents during the Bleeding Kansas crisis in 1856. In 1859 he led an attack on the armory at Harper's Ferry after which he was captured, tried and hanged.

Brown's actions and raid on Harper's Ferry, Virginia are regarded as major causal factors in the secession of the Southern States a year after his death and the move towards the civil war between the North and South.

Born: May 9, 1800
Birthplace: Torrington, Connecticut, USA
Star Sign: Taurus

Died: December 2, 1859 (aged 59)
Cause of Death: Execution by hanging

Historical Events

  • 1856-05-24 Pottawatomie Massacre: John Brown and abolitionist settlers kill five pro-slavery settlers in Franklin County, Kansas
  • 1858-04-14 Abolitionist John Brown meets Harriet Tubman at a Constitutional Convention convened in Chatham, Ontario
  • 1858-05-08 American abolitionist John Brown holds a secret antislavery convention in Canada
  • 1859-10-16 Abolitionist John Brown leads 21 men on a raid of the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia
  • 1859-11-02 American abolitionist John Brown found guilty of murder, inciting slaves to revolt, and treason against the Virginia Territory during his raid of Harpers Ferry Armory, and sentenced to hang
  • 1859-12-02 Abolitionist John Brown hanged for murder, treason, and conspiring slaves to revolt at Charles Town, Virginia

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