Seen & Unseen John Brown’s Public Trial in U.S. History

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John Brown’s Trial (1859) As the nation’s first media trial, it marked a turning point in how major trials were covered, and continue to be covered, in the news. John Brown’s trial provided the forum for him to cultivate his image as a martyr to abolition, and emerge as a mythic character in U.S. history, art, and culture.

Session Objectives Explore how and why John Brown’s public trial addresses the conference theme of “History Seen and Unseen.” Discuss why John Brown’s trial should be central to teaching about John Brown’s life, raid, and execution. Demonstrate that teaching about trials contributes to effective and engaging history education. Provide useful strategies and resources for teaching about John Brown’s trial.

1859: Harper’s Ferry, VA 2017: Harpers Ferry, WV

West Virginia (Virginia in 1859) Maryland Virginia

News Media in 1859

Photography in 1859 Photographic negative by James Black, 1859 Daguerreotype by Augustus Washington, 1847 Photographic negative by James Black, 1859

Harper's Ferry Insurrection--The Battle Ground--Captain Albertis' Party Attacking the Insurgents--View of the Railroad Bridge, the Engine-House and the Village. From a sketch by our Special Artist. From Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, November 5, 1859.

Storming of the Engine House by the U. S Storming of the Engine House by the U.S. Marines, sketch by Porte Crayon. From Harper's Weekly, November 5, 1859.

Governor Wise, of Virginia, and District Attorney Guld Examining the Wounded Prisoners in the Presence of the Officers, the Reporter of the N. Y. Herald and Our Special Artist. From Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, October 29, 1859.

The Arraignment, sketch by Porte Crayon The Arraignment, sketch by Porte Crayon. From Harper's Weekly, November 12, 1859.

The Prisoner Brown and his Boston Counsel, Mr The Prisoner Brown and his Boston Counsel, Mr. Hoyt, sketch by Porte Crayon. From Harper's Weekly, November 12, 1859.

The Trial of John Brown at Charlestown, Virginia, for Treason and Murder, sketch by Porte Crayon. From Harper's Weekly, November 12, 1859.

Trial of Ossawatomie Brown--View of the Court-Room during the Trial, with Accurate Portraits of the Presiding Judge, the Twelve Jurymen, the Counsel for the Prisoner and Prosecution and Brown as He Reclined on his Couch. From Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, November 12, 1859.

The Treason Trial at Charlestown, Va The Treason Trial at Charlestown, Va.--Sleeping Room of the Jury at Gibson's Hotel. From Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, November 19, 1859.

View in Charlestown, Virginia, Showing the Prison, Guard-House and Court-House Where the Prisoners Were Tried. From a sketch by our Special Artist. From Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, November 19, 1859.

Harper's Ferry Insurrection--Ossawattomie Brown on his Way from the Court to his Prison, after Hearing Sentence of Death Pronounced upon Him. From a sketch by out Special Artist made on the spot. From Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, November 12, 1859.

Our Artist and Special Correspondent Making Their Last Visit to John Brown, in his Cell at Charlestown, Previous to his Execution. L-R: Mr. Sultzer, Baltimore Clipper, Jailor, Officer, Correspondent, Artist, and John Brown. From Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, December 10, 1859.

John Brown Riding on his Coffin to the Place of Execution John Brown Riding on his Coffin to the Place of Execution. From a sketch by our Special Artist. From Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, December 17, 1859.

The Execution of John Brown The Execution of John Brown. From New York Illustrated News, December 10, 1859.

Questions for Discussion Does the document: Address themes of justice and injustice, right and wrong, good and evil? Use language associated with violence (e.g. death, murder, wound, blood)? To do: Select a phrase or sentence that helps to examine the themes or language. Assign someone to share your group’s document, its source and date, and your selected phrase or sentence.

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