John Brown has long fascinated scholars, artists, activists, and politicians. The Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, along with other partners, is hosting a multidisciplinary academic symposium on John Brown and his 1859 raid on Harpers Ferry. The conference will be held at the Stephen T. Mather Training Center in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. This gathering, which will take place October 14-17, 2009, hopes to stimulate new and diverse academic research, scholarship, and debate.
One of the neat opportunities will be to hike the path the raiders took from Kennedy Farm to Harper's Ferry. Brian McGinty, author of Lincoln and the Court, will give a lecture on Brown's trial at the Charlestown, West Virginia courthouse.
The call for papers is now closed, but details on attending the conference can be found here. Plenary speakers include David Blight, Spencer Crew, and Paul Finkelman. A full list of presenters will be added.
Image credit: Western Reserve Historical Society
