Born c. 1767
Africa or St. Thomas, Danish West Indies
Died July 2, 1822
Charleston, South Carolina

Chattel slave, freedman, rebellion leader

Aliterate and worldly man, Denmark Vesey spent his life resisting the degrading forces of slavery and racism. He ultimately became the first slave revolt leader of note when in 1822 he organized thousands of slaves in Charleston, South Carolina, in a carefully planned uprising. Vesey's aim was to change the system by force, no matter what the cost.

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Very little is known about Denmark Vesey's childhood years. Some historians claim he was born in the Danish colony of St. Thomas, an island in...