John Brown

Du Bois portrays John Brown as a deeply religious and moral man driven by a fierce commitment to ending the institution of slavery. Brown’s dedication to the cause of abolition is highlighted particularly his willingness to use violence in the fight for freedom—a stance that made him both a controversial and heroic figure. Du Bois carefully examines Brown’s early life his involvement in the fight against slavery in Kansas and the events leading up to the Harpers Ferry raid which ultimately resulted in Brown’s capture and execution. Through this biography Du Bois frames Brown as a martyr and a pivotal figure in the fight against slavery arguing that his actions helped ignite the Civil War and bring about the eventual abolition of slavery. John Brown is not just a historical account but also a moral evaluation of Brown’s legacy written by Du Bois to inspire readers to reflect on the complexities of justice resistance and sacrifice in the pursuit of equality.