National Portrait Gallery and John Brown Portraits

“John Brown was born May 9, 1800 in Torrington, Connecticut. Soon after Brown’s birth, the family moved to Hudson, Ohio. As a youth he saw an enslaved boy, with whom he had become friends, badly beaten and harshly treated. This and his religious belief that slavery was a sin against God influenced his thoughts and actions throughout his life.” National Park Service

John Brown, 9 May 1800 – 2 Dec 1859 
c. 1857 (after c. 1855 daguerreotype) 
Photograph 
Salted paper print

Augustus Washington, 1820/1 – 1875
John Brown, 9 May 1800 – 2 Dec 1859 
c. 1846-47 
Medium Quarter-plate daguerreotype

“On the night of October 16, 1859, John Brown and 21 followers captured the U.S. Armory, Arsenal and Rifle Factory at Harpers Ferry. He called it a “trumpet blast” that would lead to an extended mountain campaign in the slave states and make “property in slaves insecure.” Brown’s so-called raid only lasted 36 hours. He underestimated how quickly white people would rise up to put down what they saw as insurrection. Ten of Brown’s men were killed and five escaped.” National Park Service

Martin M. Lawrence, 1809 – 1859 
John Brown, 9 May 1800 – 2 Dec 1859 
Date
c. 1858
Salted paper print

John Brown Brought Out for Execution
Albert Berghaus, active 1869 – 1880 
John Brown, 9 May 1800 – 2 Dec 1859 
1859 
Pencil on paper 

“Brown was captured on October 18, 1859, by a detachment of U.S. Marines under the command of Army Colonel Robert E. Lee. Brown and six of his men were imprisoned in nearby Charles Town. Virginia seized the opportunity to try “the insurgents.” Brown was soon found guilty of treason against Virginia, conspiring with slaves to rebel and murder. He was hanged on December 2, 1859.” National Park Service

John Brown’s Tombstone, North Elba, New York

“John Brown’s last written words on the day of his execution predicted the Civil War. “I, John Brown, am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away but with blood. I had, as I now think, vainly flattered myself that without very much blood shed it might be done.” National Park Service

This is an albumen print; the location of the original is unknown.