Biography of John Brown By Dylan Robinson

1. Full name and years of life.

John Brown (May 9, 1800 December 2, 1859)
2. Parents names and profession(s).
Father: Owen Brown
Mother: Ruth Mills
John Browns father worked as a farmer, tanner, and shoe maker.
Johns mother, like his father was a strict orthodox Calvinist, and took the traditional role as
mother and religious practitioner.
3. Formal education (if any).
John Brown attended school in Plainfield Massachusetts. He then briefly enrolled in Morris
Academy in Litchfield, Connecticut, but had to abandon his education due to eye inflammation
issues.
4. Two to three (ONLY) significant contributions made by this person (what made them notable).
John Browns main contribution was his commitment as an abolitionist. Some historians
consider his unwavering commitment to antislavery the work of a madman, while others see it
as noble and daring. His most notable contribution was his personal sacrifice and violent
opposition against those who supported slavery. When it comes to abolitionists he is
considered as influential as Fredrick Douglas and Harriet Tubman.
Although not directly responsible, John Brown was seen as one of the major catalysts
responsible for the Civil war. He was sentenced to death by the U.S. government after being
captured during the raid on Harpers Ferry. His death served to create a martyrdom around his
cause. His image was that of a crucified hero that could be looked upon for inspiration for the
union when fighting the civil war.
5. At least two (2) quotations ABOUT this person and his/her personality. These should come ONLY
FROM THOSE WHO KNEW HIM/HER PERSONALLY.
The soul of John Brown was the inspiration of the Union armies in the emancipation war, and it
will be the inspiration of all men in the present and distant future who may revolt against
tyranny and oppressionTo the superficial observer John Brown was a failure. So was Jesus of
Nazareth. Both suffered ignominious death as traitors to the government, yet one is now hailed
as Savoir of the world from sin, and the other of a race from bondage. ([1], p 60)
-Charles Robinson, first governor of Kansas

John Brown was more than a Kansas man. As a Kansas man he differed from some other Free
State men; for while they passed resolutions, he acted [on] them. In his humble way he
endeavored to pattern [himself] after the man of Galilee, and the part of the evangelists that
seemed to impress him most was the occasion of our savoir with whip of cords [driving] the
money changers from the temple. ([1], p. 62)
-William A Phillips, New York Tribune Reporter who interviewed Brown

6. Describe something about this person that provides insight into their personality or personal
motivations.
John Browns religious views which included his strict orthodox Calvinist upbringing shaped his
belief system in regards to the bible and morality. Johns father, Owen also had a large
influence on John since his father had strong opinions as an abolitionist. His father had
mentioned that he would die an abolitionist, after witnessing the way slaves were treated. This
attitude rubbed off on John and shaped his viewpoints from an early age which eventually led to
his actions and convictions later in life.
7. Something about this person that you personally found particularly interesting.
After reading a lot about John Brown, I became a fan of his character. I found it fascinating the
lengths to which John Brown would go in his quest to abolish slavery. He had to have known his
odds of success at Harpers Ferry, and it goes to show he was a true believer in his cause. His
actions make him a very divisive historical character, as some see him as a freedom fighter,
while others refer to him as a domestic terrorist.
8. Major events/changes/inventions by others that occurred during this persons lifetime that
changed life in America. (This will give us a sense of what your subject saw during their lifetime)
The war of 1812 was one of the major events in Johns life. Although he was only a boy, the war
may have desensitized him to the idea of violence.
The United States of America was experiencing a technological boom during John Browns life.
Inventions such as the mechanical reaper, and cotton gin, and horse drawn plows where
beginning to make some of tasks that utilized slave labor obsolete. Inventions such as the steam
powered locomotive and telegraph were introduced, changing society forever.
The Indian removal act of 1830, also known as the trail of tears occurred when John Brown was
30 years old. The Underground Railroad was also established in 1830 which Brown would
eventually be involved with.
Nat Turners rebellion in 1831 was one of the most influential events of John Browns life. Many
historians consider this one of the most important events that shaped Browns decision to
conduct the raid on Harpers Ferry.

The boundaries of America were changing as new states were formed such as Oregon, and
Texas. Some states such as Ohio and New York outlaw slavery, while others like Missouri and
Alabama support it.

9. People and/or events that had a strong influence on this person and HOW.

John Brown was influenced by many people, most notably slave rebels like Cinques. Cinques led
a rebellion on the ship Amistad which was bound for America. The rebellion led to the slaves
killing their captors and attempting to return home to Africa. Although they were tricked into
heading toward America. The slaves were captured but later exonerated after arriving in the
United States. Brown liked Cinque because he succeeded without much violence.
Nat Turner led a rebellion in 1831 where over 50 white plantation residents were killed as well
as hundreds of slaves. This rebellion would become one of the major influences in Browns
decision to raid Harpers Ferry. This raid occurred more than 2 decades before John Browns
raid at Harpers Ferry, however it left a lasting impression with Brown.

10. 10. People (be specific) who were strongly influenced by the life and work of this person AND
HOW THEY WERE INFLUENCED.

Fredrick Douglas was influenced by John Brown and even knew Brown personally. While he did
not agree with Browns violent methods, he did agree with the abolishonist cause. Douglas
noted that If John Brown did not end the war that ended slavery, he did, at least, begin the war
that ended slavery. ([3], p. 247]
John Brown often preached his heavy religious influence to Douglas, about how god would
determine what happened, and it was Gods will that slavery would be abolished. Brown
attempted to persuade Frederick Douglas to serve as Provisional President for a new black
government.
Abraham Lincoln was influenced by John Brown, whose actions influenced the selection of
Lincoln as the president of the United States. The south used the raid of John Brown to stir up
emotions that triggered Lincolns opponents to split into multiple parties, as well as ensuring the
selection of Lincoln as president. The south then succeeded from the union prompting what
would become the civil war. It could be argued that Lincoln would have never been elected
president if it were not for John Brown. Lincoln was initially hesitant to start a war for
emancipation which he claimed was a John Brown raid, on a gigantic scale. ([3], p. 196)
11. How did the death of Elijah P. Lovejoy impact Brown? How did it motivate Brown? Explain this.

The death of Elijah Lovejoy was felt nationwide. Before he was president, Abraham Lincoln said
that the murder of Lovejoy was the most important single event that happened in the new
world. ([3], p. 290) Lovejoy was a minister who had moved to St Louis and worked as a
journalist. A proslavery movement formed a mob and destroyed the newspaper office he
worked in after he wrote a piece denouncing the lynching of a black man. Lovejoy survived and
moved to Alton Illinois where he worked for another antislavery newspaper. Here he faced
further attacks from pro-slavers. Lovejoy was emboldened by the attacks and claimed he was
willing to be a martyr for his cause. Later on a proslavery movement attacked his printing press,
and he was fatally shot.
John Brown heard of the news of the Elijah during a prayer meeting which was led by an
antislavery professor. John was with his father, and the professor described the death of
Lovejoy explaining the crisis has now come. ([3], p. 310) When the meeting was over, Brown
rose up and said Here, before God, in the presence of these witnesses, from this time, I
consecrate my life to the destruction of slavery! ([3], p. 311) Browns father stood up and
passionately delivered remarks of his own. This moment would mark the point where John
Brown would publically begin to fight against slavery.
12. Describe Browns work for the abolitionist movement prior to his raid on Harpers Ferry.
Were there early indications of his radical views?

For nearly a decade while living in New Richmond, PA, during the 1830s, John Brown operated
as an antislavery policeman, occasionally assiting slaves who would pass through the town.
However, John Browns main work with the abolishonist movement began after moving to
Hudson Ohio in 1835. Hudson was a major stop along the Underground Railroad, which was a
system where slaves would be transported with the help of white abolitionists to Free states.
Hudson was an important stop on the Underground Railroad since the fugitive slave laws
applied, and slave hunters were often operating in this areas looking for fugitive slaves. In
Hudson John Brown accepted the role as a stationmaster for the Underground Railroad. His
station stop was the 10th one created for this purpose. Brown became more active in Hudson,
addressing crowds about black laws and how unjust laws should be repealed.
In 1837, the death of Elijah Lovejoy was perhaps one of the most influential events that would
further shape John Browns antislavery views. Since Lovejoy was murdered through violence,
this most likely helped justified Browns future antislavery violent acts. Similarly, the Nat Turner
rebellion of 1831 had a major impact on Brown, and nearly all attempts at fighting the
proslavery movement were done with violence.
After leaving Hudson Ohio due to issues with the church and economic difficulties, Brown moves
to Springfield Massachusetts and continues to stay involved with the antislavery movement
making new contacts in Springfield. John Brown meets with Frederick Douglas and begins to
plan his raid. In 1849 John Brown moves again to Elba NY and begins to organize antislavery
forces. Over the years proslavery groups attacks on antislavery proponents influence Brown to
head to Pottawatomie Creek, Kansas in 1856 and kill 5 proslavery settlers. This would be
considered Browns first major raid and attack prior to the Harpers Ferry raid. Brown later goes
on to recruit more followers, and frees 82 slaves from 2 farms in Missouri. Before the Harpers
Ferry raid, Brown tries to convince Frederick Douglas, unsuccessfully to join the fight.

Works Cited
Peterson, Merrill D. John Brown: The Legend Revisited. Charlottesville: U of Virginia, 2002. Print. [1]
Hudson, J. Blaine. Encyclopedia of the Underground Railroad. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2006. Print. [2]
Reynolds, David S. John Brown, Abolitionist: The Man Who Killed Slavery, Sparked the Civil War, and
Seeded Civil Rights. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005. Print. [3]
Etcheson, Nicole. "John Brown, Terrorist?" American Nineteenth Century History 10.1 (2009): 29-48.
Academic Search Premier. Web. 12 Apr. 2014. [4]
Carton, E. "Crossing Harpers Ferry: Liberal Education and John Brown's Corpus." American Literature
73.4 (2001): 837-63. Academic Search Premier. Web. 12 Apr. 2014. [5]