John Brown was an American abolitionist, considered one of the most controversial and significant figures in the period leading up to the American Civil War. His militant career began in the 1850s during the conflicts in Kansas, where he led attacks against pro-slavery supporters. His most notable act was the raid on the federal armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, in 1859, with the goal of sparking a large-scale armed slave insurrection. Despite the raid's failure and his subsequent capture, trial, and execution for treason, his writings and his final speech in court resonated widely. Although he received no formal recognition during his lifetime, Brown became a martyr for the abolitionist cause in the North, inspiring songs such as "John Brown's Body" and solidifying his image as a key figure in the fight against slavery—a posthumous recognition of great historical and cultural impact.