University of Virginia
John Brown and the Valley of the Shadow: The Conspirators' Biographies
Find out about the men who joined John Brown in his raid on Harpers Ferry. The biographies are brief but informative. Click on the highlighted names for more information about them.
University of Virginia
University of Virginia: John Brown and the Valley of the Shadow
This site provides a look at John Brown's life. Content includes a chronology of events in his life, a look at his family and cohorts, newspaper articles, eyewitness accounts, and more.
University of Missouri
Famous Trials: Trial of John Brown: Lee's Report on the Attack at Harper's Ferry
The text of the message Robert E. Lee sent to his adjutant general on Oct. 19, 1859 concerning his men's actions in response to John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry.
Henry J. Sage
Sage American History: John Brown at Harper's Ferry
Article on John Brown's raid on the federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry including excerpts from the U.S. Senate report on the case as well as John Brown's last speech and letter.
Virginia Historical Society
Virginia Historical Society: The Portent: John Brown's Raid in American Memory
Online companion of an exhibition mounted in 2009 to commemorate the anniversary of John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry examines Brown's role as a catalyst of the American Civil War.
PBS
Pbs: Cet: Africans in America: The Raid on Harper's Ferry
PBS' four-part series, "Africans in America," highlights the antislavery movement, including a focus on John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry. Content includes a description of the event, as well as the after-effects including the news of...
![Digital History: John Brown at Harper's Ferry [Pdf] Website](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Digital History: John Brown at Harper's Ferry [Pdf] Website")
Digital History
Digital History: John Brown at Harper's Ferry [Pdf]
Find out about the influences in John Brown's life that led him to think inciting a slave insurrection would be the way to get rid of slavery. Read about his actions in Kansas, and the raid he planned at Harper's Ferry. [pdf]
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Lincoln, Douglas and Brown
Overview of events of a nation in conflict including the 1858 U.S. Senate race between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas and the attack on Harpers Ferry.
Digital History
Digital History: Harper's Ferry
Read about the infamous raid on Harper's Ferry by John Brown and his band in 1859. His first plan had a chance of success thought Frederick Douglass, but the plan that was carried out was doomed from the start. See what John Brown was...
PBS
Africans in America: John Brown's Black Raiders
This page provides information on the black men who took part in John Brown's Raid. Includes quotes of associates referring to the men.
Library of Virginia
Death or Liberty: John Brown's Raid
The Library of Virginia details John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry as a prelude to the U.S. Civil War. Content also lists various records and resources regarding John Brown's Raid held in the library.
Other
Ny History Net: The "Black Dream" of Gerrit Smith, New York Abolitionist
This site talks about the life of abolitionist Gerrit Smith, who was convicted in the John Brown Raid on Harpers Ferry but maintained innocence in any involvement in planning the raid.
Read Works
Read Works: John Brown's Antislavery Raid
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read about John Brown and his anti-slavery efforts. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Other
John Brown Raid: 1859 Raid on Harpers Ferry
Commemorating John Brown's historic Harpers Ferry raid of 1859, this site has lots of information about Brown and the raid. The Educational Resources page is helpful for lesson materials. The links on the pressroom page will help you...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: John Brown's Raid
John Brown was considered a madman by many and a martyr by others. Read about his ill-fated raid on the federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry, Virginia. Why did this raid cause such a reaction in the Southern states?
The History Place
The History Place: Great Speeches: William Lloyd Garrison on Death of John Brown
A speech delivered by William Lloyd Garrison after John Brown was hanged for leading the slave rebellion at Harpers Ferry in 1859. In his speech, Garrison advocates for taking a stand against slavery by seceding the North from the South.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Quiz: Harpers Ferry and John Brown for Kids
History Questions: Harpers Ferry and John Brown Quiz, Test, and WebQuest
Siteseen
Siteseen: American Historama: John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry
Interest facts about John Brown, the militant anti-slavery activist who tried to seize ammunition from an armory at Harpers Ferry in 1859.