According to John Brown, Jr., this bust portrait of his father was made, June 18, 1859, while on his way to Harper's Ferry. Brown was an abolitionist and Free State advocate who used violence to end slavery. He was involved in the May 24, 1856, Pottawatomie Massacre, the Battle of Black Jack on June 2, 1856, and the Battle of Osawatomie on August 30, 1856. In October 1859, Brown and his followers attacked the federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry, Virginia. His plan failed and he was excuted for his actions.
