Events/Courses - Event View

In 1859, John Brown led a raid on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, VA. His aim was to incite a slave insurrection and guide the enslaved to freedom — part of his “holy crusade” against slavery. Only a very small group knew of Brown’s general plan and raised funds to implement it: the “Secret Six.” Many thought Brown was crazed, but his supporters compared him to Christ. Was he a madman or a murderer? A visionary or delusional? And what of his supporters — prominent reformers, writers, clergymen? Why did they champion this charismatic and enigmatic character? What explains their embracing of Brown’s actions? What moral dilemmas did they wrestle with in doing so? How did they justify Brown’s use of violence? What animated their worship of this fiery abolitionist? How might understanding their outlooks, inner conflicts and choices help us to understand our own in our periods of crisis?

Instructor Jayne Gordon has taught many history-related courses for CSC. A public historian, her last job before retirement was Director of Education at the Massachusetts Historical Society. She has had a more than 50-year fascination with John Brown. When she was Executive Director of the Thoreau Society, she worked with her historian-brother to lead a three-day workshop on John Brown in and around Harpers Ferry.