Harriet Tubman Biography and Quotes
Birthday: March 1822
Commemoration: March 10th, 1913
Nationality: American
91
Years Old
Famously Known For
Successfully escaped from slavery and made return missions to rescue other people that had been enslaved. She managed to rescue approximately 70 people who composed of family and friends. She ran an antislavery network and was in charge of safe houses that were popularly known as Underground Railroad. She was a spy and scout during the American Civil War.
Early Life
Tubman was born to enslaved parents, Green and Ben Ross. Her date of birth is not known, but the year of birth is estimated to be in 1822. Her mother, Harriet Green, worked as a cook for her master. Her father, Ben Ross, was a skilled woodsman who worked for his owner Antony Thompson. Harriet had a total of eight other siblings. At age five, Harriet was tasked to take care of an infant.
Personal Life
Harriet got married to John Tubman, who was a free man. Later on, in 1869, she was married to a war veteran known as Nelson Davis. The two adopted a young girl, Gertie, in 1874.
Career
Harriet made a total of 20 trips from the South to the North from 1850 to 1860. The trips were meant to coordinate an underground network known as Underground Railroad whose aim was to liberate and empower black people. She was vocal in her actions and was crucial to the freedom of more than 300 people.
Harriet escaped from her master and travelled to the free state of Philadelphia where it would be difficult for her masters to trace her. During that time, there was a notice on local newspapers that put a price for her capture. However, in 1850, the Fugitive Slave Law was passed that allowed escaped slaves to be captured in the North and returned. This led to her joining the underground network.
Death
Harriet died on March 10, 1913, from complications caused by pneumonia.
