Harriet Tubman

Moses of Her People · Abolitionist · c.1822–1913

Born into slavery, she freed herself and then returned again and again into slave territory to lead others north on the Underground Railroad — and later served the Union as scout and spy.

Who was Harriet?

Harriet Tubman was born into slavery on Maryland's Eastern Shore as Araminta Ross. A blow to the head from an overseer in her youth left her with lifelong spells and vivid visions she took as God's guidance. In 1849 she escaped north alone; then, astonishingly, she went back — roughly thirteen times — guiding some seventy enslaved people, family and strangers, to freedom along the secret routes of the Underground Railroad, and by her own account never losing a passenger. In the Civil War she served the Union as nurse, scout and spy, and helped lead the Combahee River raid that freed more than seven hundred people. After the war she worked for the poor and the aged and for women's suffrage. She is remembered as one of history's great examples of courage and faith.

Major achievements

• Escaped slavery and became the most famous conductor of the Underground Railroad
• Led roughly thirteen rescue missions, guiding some seventy people to freedom
• Served the Union Army as nurse, scout and spy
• Helped lead the Combahee River raid, freeing more than 700 enslaved people
• Campaigned in later life for the poor, the elderly and women's suffrage

Life in brief

• c.1822 — Born into slavery: As Araminta Ross, on Maryland's Eastern Shore.
• c.1834 — Head injury: An overseer's blow leaves lifelong effects.
• 1849 — Escapes north: Reaches freedom in Pennsylvania, alone.
• 1850s — The Underground Railroad: Returns repeatedly to lead others to freedom.
• 1863 — Combahee River raid: Helps free over 700 people as a Union scout.
• 1913 — Dies: In Auburn, New York, having worked for the vulnerable to the end.

Explore the life of Harriet — five chapters

1. Minty — Maryland's Eastern Shore, and an injury that never healed
2. Ninety Miles North — One woman, alone, in 1849
3. Going Back — Thirteen journeys, and never losing a passenger
4. The Combahee River Raid — Scout, spy and the first woman to lead a US armed expedition
5. Auburn — Suffrage, a home for the aged, and a long-delayed recognition

Read the five-chapter life of Harriet Tubman →

Teach what Harriet discovered

How Slavery Was Abolished — ideas Harriet is tied to on the Living Knowledge Map. On Incandio you prove you understand one by teaching it to Ember, the AI pupil, in Teach the Room.

Begin

• Start a conversation with Harriet — a dramatised, historically grounded AI portrayal
• Read the Historical Brief
• Explore the life of Harriet — five chapters
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