Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman (born Araminta Ross, c. 1822– March 10, 1913) was an American abolitionist and political activist. Born into slavery, Tubman escaped and subsequently made some thirteen missions to rescue approximately seventy enslaved people, family and friends, using the network of antislavery activists and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad. She later helped abolitionist John Brown recruit men for his raid on Harpers Ferry. During the Civil War, she served as an armed scout and spy for the United States Army. In her later years, Tubman was an activist in the struggle for women’s suffrage. Wikipedia

Learn more about Harriet Tubman through historical newspapers from our archives. Explore newspaper articles, headlines, images, and other primary sources below.

Articles and Clippings about Harriet Tubman

Reproduction of a newspaper ad offering reward for capture of Harriet Tubman (Arminta "Minty" Ross) 27 Jan 2011, Thu The Star-Democrat (Easton, Maryland) Newspapers.comHarriet Tubman listed in 1862 as member of Canadian association for the relief of "fugitive slaves" Fri, Jan 10, 1862 – Page 3 · The Liberator (Boston, Massachusetts) · Newspapers.comHarriet Tubman speaks at a meeting in Boston in 1862 Fri, Feb 21, 1862 – Page 3 · The Liberator (Boston, Massachusetts) · Newspapers.comHarriet Tubman tells story of her life to integrated audience in 1865 Mon, Oct 23, 1865 – Page 2 · The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Brooklyn, New York) · Newspapers.com1869 book about Harriet Tubman is described as the "biography of a most remarkable woman" Tue, Mar 23, 1869 – 1 · Richmond Weekly Palladium (Richmond, Indiana) · Newspapers.comHarriet Tubman marries for second time, in 1869 Thu, May 13, 1869 – 7 · Birmingham Daily Post (Birmingham, West Midlands, England) · Newspapers.comThomas Garrett writes a letter recounting Harriet Tubman's experience rescuing 2 enslaved people Wed, Feb 24, 1875 – Page 1 · Vermont Watchman and State Journal (Montpelier, Vermont) · Newspapers.comHarriet Tubman speaks and sings at first meeting of the National Federation of Afro-American Women 25 Jul 1896, Sat The Washington Bee (Washington, District of Columbia) Newspapers.comTuskegee Institute secretary tells of Tubman's contributions & asks for donations to save her home 13 Jul 1901, Sat The Colored American (Washington, District of Columbia) Newspapers.comHarriet Tubman attends a New York suffragist meeting in 1905 Thu, Nov 2, 1905 – Page 7 · The New York Age (New York, New York) · Newspapers.comPicture of Harriet Tubman at age 93 reprinted from a 1908 newspaper Sun, Nov 20, 2016 – 15 · The Citizen (Auburn, New York) · Newspapers.comDescription of Harriet Tubman's service during the Civil War; is called "General Tubman" 28 May 1909, Fri The Bystander (Des Moines, Iowa) Newspapers.comIn 1911, Harriet Tubman moves into home she founded for elderly Black men and women Wed, Jun 14, 1911 – 12 · The Anaconda Standard (Anaconda, Montana) · Newspapers.comExcerpt from 1911 newspaper article titled "Tubman: Conductor on Greatest Railroad" Thu, Jun 15, 1911 – Page 1 · The New York Age (New York, New York) · Newspapers.comElderly Harriet Tubman to receive financial aid in 1911 from women's federation Thu, Aug 3, 1911 – Page 1 · The New York Age (New York, New York) · Newspapers.comAccount of a visit with Harriet Tubman shortly before her death Thu, Feb 27, 1913 – Page 1 · The New York Age (New York, New York) · Newspapers.comHarriet Tubman dies in March 1913 Thu, Mar 13, 1913 – 2 · The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland) · Newspapers.comObituary for Harriet Tubman published in the New York Age 13 Mar 1913, Thu The New York Age (New York, New York) Newspapers.comExcerpt from an obituary for Harriet Tubman in March 1913 Thu, Mar 13, 1913 – Page 9 · New-York Tribune (New York, New York) · Newspapers.comNewspaper columnist reflects on the life of Harriet Tubman & compares her to Joan of Arc Thu, Apr 17, 1913 – Page 5 · The New York Age (New York, New York) · Newspapers.comMemorial to Harriet Tubman Davis unveiled in Auburn, New York, in 1914 Wed, Jul 8, 1914 – Page 3 · The Ithaca Journal (Ithaca, New York) · Newspapers.comHarriet Tubman house in Auburn, NY, is restored and turned into a memorial and museum in 1953 Sat, May 16, 1953 – Page 2 · The Pittsburgh Courier (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) · Newspapers.comU.S. Treasury to put Harriet Tubman on new $20 bill. Fri, Mar 10, 2017 – 6 · Dorchester Star (Cambridge, Maryland) · Newspapers.com