(1800-59) a USabolitionist (=someone who worked to end slavery) who tried to use violence to end slavery. With followers, he took over a government weapons establishment at Harper's Ferry, Virginia. He was caught and hanged fortreason, During theAmerican Civil War, a song called John Brown's Body became popular in the North. The song is still well known and contains the words John Brown's body lies a-mouldering in the grave,/But his soul goes marching on.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
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