Margaret Garner was an enslaved woman who escaped from a plantation in Kentucky in 1856. She is best known for her tragic decision to kill her own daughter rather than allow her to be recaptured by slave catchers. This act of desperation highlighted the extreme lengths to which enslaved individuals would go to protect their loved ones from the horrors of slavery. The story of Margaret Garner became widely known after it was featured in the novel "Beloved" by Toni Morrison, which explores the psychological impact of slavery. Garner's life and actions sparked discussions about the moral dilemmas faced by enslaved people and the brutal realities of the American Civil War era.