Watch The Mark Steel Lectures Season 3 Episode 5 Online

Harriet Tubman, described widely as the ‘Moses of her people’ was instrumental in the efforts to abolish slavery in mid 19th century America. Born into a life of bondage, she was forced into work at five years of age and at 12 was horrifically injured by the plantation overseer when he threw a lead weight at her head. At 27 and buoyed by stories of slave rebellions emerging across the country, she escaped her Maryland plantation and headed Northwards where she knew there were strong groups of Quakers and anti slavery campaigners who were collectively known as the ‘Underground Railroad’. Join the award winning comedian Mark Steel as he charts Harriet Tubman’s course through American history; Her daring armed raids to rescue fellow slaves, her inclusion into the Underground Railroad network, her work with fellow abolitionist John Brown and her special meetings with Abraham Lincoln’s wife.