Stone memorializing John Brown

Item

Legacies Classification
Memorial Object
Memorial Type
Plaque/Marker
Memorial Context
Memorialized Subject
Brown, John
Title
Stone memorializing John Brown
Background and Context
The “Walk of Fame” was created in 1929 by then president Hamilton Holt to honor significant historical figures. The memorial is located in the center of campus around Mills Lawn.

It is unclear when the stone for John Brown was installed, however, it can be presumed to have been installed before 1939 because of its inclusion in Hamilton Holt's original Walk of Fame book, published that year. The stone was donated by Melvil Dewey, though it is unclear what the reasoning for this was.

John Brown is remembered as a martyr for the abolitionist cause. Brown was a staunch advocate for the freedom of the enslaved. In 1855, he and five of his sons engaged in the conflict known as Bleeding Kansas, in an attempt to make the state a free one. Four years later, in 1859, Brown led an integrated group of 21 men in a raid on Harper’s Ferry, a federal armory. The intention of the attack was to set up a stronghold for an abolitionist army that would be joined by escaped slaves to free those in enslavement. The raid was unsuccessful, and led to Brown’s conviction for murder, slave insurrection, and treason, for which he was hanged on December 2, 1859.
Holt, Hamilton
Physical Description
12.5 inches long, 13.5 inches wide
Memorial Inscription
JOHN BROWN
NORTH ELBA
N.Y
Creator/Participating Person(s)
Dewey, Melvil
Holt, Hamilton
Date created, installed or dedicated
1939
Funded by
Dewey, Melvil
Campus Location
Location: Institution, City, State
Learn More About this Subject

Position: 568 (112 views)