John Brown was an American abolitionist known for his strong opposition to slavery. Born in 1800, he believed that violence was necessary to end the injustice of slavery in the United States. His most famous act was the raid on Harper's Ferry in 1859, where he attempted to seize a federal armory to arm enslaved people for a rebellion. Brown's actions made him a controversial figure, admired by some as a hero and condemned by others as a terrorist. He was captured and executed, but his legacy lived on, inspiring many in the fight for civil rights and the eventual end of slavery in America.