Denmark Vesey was an African American man born around 1767, who is best known for planning a major slave revolt in 1822 in Charleston, South Carolina. He was formerly enslaved but purchased his freedom and became a carpenter. Vesey was inspired by the ideals of the American Revolution and the successful slave rebellion in Haiti. Vesey's plot aimed to liberate enslaved people and establish a free black community. However, the conspiracy was discovered before it could be executed, leading to his arrest and execution in 1822. His legacy remains significant in discussions about resistance to slavery and the fight for freedom.