GBH Openvault

American Experience; John Brown's Holy War; Interview with author Edward J. Renehan, 1 of 4

Part of John Brown's Holy War Interviews.

2000

Renehan talks about Childhood - underground RR, Owen - John Brown not successful but abolitionist like Owen, Owen - absentee father, John Brown tries to be better father, fails, Personality - needed authority, e.g. tannery, but failed, Personality - always took lead, Kansas free soil militia, Personality - stubbornness, lead by God, Douglas, Douglass/John Brown - yin/yang, Douglass liked finer things, Douglass - thought John Brown's plan would fail, alienate people, Martyr - Douglass etc. picked up John Brown's mantle after death, Garrison/John Brown - religion, pacifism vs. retribution, Kansas, Religion/Kansas - John Brown's God inspired violence, Kansas, Religion - no fear of death, helped John Brown to martyrdom

Series

American Experience

Program

John Brown's Holy War

Program Number

1205

Title

Interview with author Edward J. Renehan, 1 of 4

Series Description

As television's longest-running, most-watched history series, American Experience brings to life the incredible characters and epic stories that helped form this nation. Now in its eighteenth season, the series has produced over 180 programs and garnered every major broadcast award.

Program Description

Martyr, madman, murderer, hero: John Brown remains one of history's most controversial and misunderstood figures. In the 1850s, he and his ragtag guerrilla group embarked on a righteous crusade against slavery that was based on religious faith -- yet carried out with shocking violence. His execution at Harpers Ferry sparked a chain of events that led to the Civil War.

Duration

0:27:02

Asset Type

Raw video

Media Type

Video

Topics

History

Creators

Robert Kenner (Producer)

Contributors

Renehan, Edward J. (Interviewee)

Publication Information

WGBH Educational Foundation

Rights Summary

Rights Holder: WGBH Educational Foundation

Citation

Chicago: “American Experience; John Brown's Holy War; Interview with author Edward J. Renehan, 1 of 4,” 2000, GBH Archives, accessed April 25, 2024, http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_56DCC4E7AAA54A3CB15C835773944850.

MLA: “American Experience; John Brown's Holy War; Interview with author Edward J. Renehan, 1 of 4.” 2000. GBH Archives. Web. April 25, 2024. <http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_56DCC4E7AAA54A3CB15C835773944850>.

APA: American Experience; John Brown's Holy War; Interview with author Edward J. Renehan, 1 of 4. Boston, MA: GBH Archives. Retrieved from http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_56DCC4E7AAA54A3CB15C835773944850