Description
The illustration highlights John Brown's movements in Kansas and Virginia. The print shows five vignettes from the life of the abolitionist, three related to "doing his Kansas work" and the fourth "commencing his Virginia work," while the fifth vignette, at center, showed his execution and was labeled "The Traitors Doom." The vignettes show Brown receiving money and weapons and attacking the Doyle family during what is now called the "Pottowatomie massacre." Another vignette shows John Brown and his associates trying to recruit black men to join their cause in Virginia.
Transcript of the "Old John Brown's Career" Illustration
Source-Dependent Question
- Overall, would you say the artist has a positive or negative opinion of John Brown? What two or three images do you think are the most important to illustrate the artist’s view of Brown?
Citation Information
Queen, J. F. & Pilliner, F. J., "Old John Brown's career illustrated," E.S. Dean Publisher & Proprietor, Philadelphia, 1860. Courtesy of Library of Congress