Historedia
Person

John Brown

Events
4
Episodes
10
Years
1772–1859

Every event in Historedia whose sources name John Brown, with the role they cite and all of that event’s episodes. This is not a biography, and mentions are grouped by name, so two people with the same name can share this page.

Events and episodes

  1. Gaspee Affair

    1772

    Role: Patriot co-leader of the attack on HMS Gaspee

    1. 1772 · Narragansett Bay, Rhode IslandGaspee Enforces Customs in Narragansett Bay

      Lieutenant Duddingston sailed HMS Gaspee into Narragansett Bay in early 1772 to enforce customs collection and cargo inspection, provoking escalating resentment.

    2. 1772 · British authorities and AdmiraltyBritish Response and Treason Charges

      British authorities demanded apprehension and trial of the raiders, who were charged with treason despite the Dockyard Act's extradition provision.

    3. 1772 · Narragansett Bay and the Thirteen ColoniesEscalation of Colonial Tensions

      The affair sharply increased colonist-Crown tensions after the Boston Massacre and preceded the Boston Tea Party by more than a year.

    4. June 1772 · Narragansett Bay, near Gaspee PointAttack and Burning of HMS Gaspee

      Providence men in 18 boats, led by Abraham Whipple and John Brown, boarded and burned HMS Gaspee to the waterline, shooting Lieutenant Duddingston.

  2. Battle of Osawatomie in Bleeding Kansas

    1856

    Role: Antislavery figure associated with the Kansas free-state forces

    1. August 30, 1856 · Osawatomie, KansasBattle of Osawatomie

      Proslavery Border ruffians defeated antislavery forces in Osawatomie on August 30, 1856.

  3. Bleeding Kansas: Sacking of Lawrence, Caning of Sumner, Pottawatomie massacre and Battle of Black Jack

    1856

    Role: Abolitionist leader

    1. May 21, 1856 · Lawrence, KansasSacking of Lawrence

      Pro-slavery settlers led by Sheriff Samuel J. Jones attacked and ransacked Lawrence, Kansas, on May 21, 1856.

    2. May 22, 1856 · United States Senate chamberCaning of Charles Sumner

      Representative Preston Brooks beat Senator Charles Sumner with a cane in the Senate chamber on May 22, 1856.

    3. May 24-25, 1856 · Kansas TerritoryPottawatomie Massacre

      John Brown's followers killed five homesteaders in Franklin County, Kansas, on the night of May 24-25, 1856.

    4. June 2, 1856 · Black Jack, KansasBattle of Black Jack

      Antislavery forces led by John Brown defeated pro-slavery forces near Black Jack, Kansas, on June 2, 1856.

  4. John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry and its suppression

    1859

    Role: Abolitionist leader

    1. 16 October 1859 · Harpers Ferry, VirginiaRaid on Harpers Ferry

      John Brown led his forces to Harpers Ferry on the night of October 16, 1859, to seize the federal armory and incite a slave rebellion.

Sources

  1. Gaspee affair Wikipedia, revision of 2026-08-12
  2. Battle of Osawatomie Wikipedia, revision of 2026-08-21
  3. John Brown (abolitionist) Wikipedia, revision of 2026-10-04
  4. Battle of Black Jack Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-21
  5. Pottawatomie massacre Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-14
  6. John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry Wikipedia, revision of 2026-10-01