When and Where Was Harriet Tubman Born? What Was Her Real Name?
Full Name: Araminta Ross (later Harriet Tubman)
Born: c. 1822, Dorchester County, Maryland
Died: March 10, 1913, Auburn, New York
Cause of Death: Pneumonia
Key Insights into Harriet Tubman’s Life
- Harriet Tubman’s birth name was Araminta Ross; she later took her mother’s first name, Harriet.
- She made approximately 13 trips on the Underground Railroad, freeing around 70 enslaved people.
- During the Civil War, she served as a nurse, cook, spy, and scout, and led the Combahee River Raid – the first woman to lead a U.S. military expedition.
- Despite common myths, she did not free 300+ people directly; the estimate is about 70 directly, plus instructions to many others.
- Her exact birth year is uncertain (1820‑1822) because slave records were incomplete.
Snapshot Fact Table
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Araminta Ross |
| Also Known As | Harriet Tubman, Moses |
| Born | c. 1822 (some sources say 1820) |
| Died | March 10, 1913 |
| Cause of Death | Pneumonia |
| Height (estimated) | 5 feet 2 inches (approx. 157 cm) |
| Occupation | Abolitionist, Underground Railroad conductor, Civil War spy, nurse, suffragist |
| Notable For | Underground Railroad, Combahee River Raid |
How Did Harriet Tubman Die? What Was Her Cause of Death?
Harriet Tubman died on March 10, 1913, in Auburn, New York. She was surrounded by family and friends at her home on the property she had purchased years earlier from William Seward.
Cause of Death
The cause of her death, as confirmed by multiple biographical sources and Auburn records, was pneumonia. She had been in declining health for years, suffering from the effects of a severe head injury she endured as a teenager. That injury, caused by a slaveholder throwing a metal weight at another enslaved person but striking her instead, led to lifelong seizures and headaches.
Final Years
In her later years, Tubman remained active, supporting her family and the community. She donated her land to the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Zion Church to be used as a home for the aged and indigent. Her death marked the end of a life dedicated to service, but the beginning of a powerful, enduring legacy.
Unlike her birth year, Tubman’s cause of death is well-documented. Pneumonia is consistently cited by authoritative sources, including the National Women’s History Museum and official Auburn records, giving it a high degree of historical certainty.
What Books and Movies Are About Harriet Tubman?
Major Biographical Works
Several comprehensive biographies have been written about Tubman’s life. Notable examples include works by historians like Catherine Clinton and Kate Clifford Larson. These books provide in-depth looks at her early life, her work on the Underground Railroad, and her later activism, though a single definitive list of all books is extensive. For a starting point, the Wikipedia entry offers a curated list of further reading.
Film and Television Portrayals
Tubman’s story has been adapted for the screen. The 2019 feature film “Harriet,” starring Cynthia Erivo, brought her story to a global audience. Other portrayals appear in various historical documentaries and series. Details on a specific 2025 movie were not available in the provided research materials.
When exploring books or movies about Harriet Tubman, cross-reference portrayals with established historical accounts from the National Park Service or the Smithsonian NMAAHC to ensure factual accuracy.
How Tall Was Harriet Tubman? Physical Appearance and Myths
Biographical sources often mention Harriet Tubman’s stature, but precise measurements are not definitively recorded. A common estimate places her height at around 5 feet 2 inches, though this is based on anecdotal evidence rather than formal documentation.
It is important to distinguish between established facts and common myths. For instance, the exact number of people she rescued is debated, though the widely accepted figure is around 70 on approximately 13 missions, not the hundreds sometimes claimed. Her height and exact birth year also fall into this category of uncertainty.
Details like Tubman’s height are frequently repeated but lack strong primary source verification. Standard biographies and official sources such as the National Park Service often omit specific physical measurements entirely.
Key Milestones in the Life of Harriet Tubman
- c. 1820‑1822: Born Araminta Ross in Dorchester County, Maryland.
- 1844: Married John Tubman, a free Black man.
- 1849: Escaped slavery to Philadelphia.
- 1850‑1860: Made ~13 missions back to Maryland, rescuing ~70 enslaved people.
- 1863: Led the Combahee River Raid, freeing over 700 enslaved people.
- 1865‑1911: Lived in Auburn, New York; active in women’s suffrage.
- 1913: Died of pneumonia in Auburn, New York.
What Is Known Versus What Remains Uncertain About Harriet Tubman’s Life?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Cause of death (pneumonia) | Exact birth year (c. 1820-1822) |
| Death date and location (March 10, 1913, Auburn, NY) | Exact height (~5 feet 2 inches) |
| Role as a conductor on the Underground Railroad | Total number of people she rescued (approx. 70 directly) |
| Married name (Harriet Tubman) | Some details of her early childhood |
The Historical Context of Harriet Tubman’s Work
Harriet Tubman operated during the height of the Underground Railroad in the 1850s, a clandestine network of safe houses and abolitionists. The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 dramatically increased the risks for both escaped slaves and conductors, forcing Tubman to extend her operations to Canada. Later, her work as a spy and scout for the Union Army was part of a broader military strategy to disrupt Confederate supply lines and liberate enslaved people in the South.
Quotes Attributed to Harriet Tubman and Her Contemporaries
“I freed a thousand slaves. I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves.”
— Attributed to Harriet Tubman
“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”
— Attributed to Harriet Tubman
“She was one of the greatest heroines of the age.”
— Frederick Douglass, letter to Tubman (1868)
The Enduring Legacy of Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman’s transformation from an enslaved woman in Maryland to a national symbol of freedom and justice is a testament to her extraordinary courage and conviction. Her legacy continues to inspire, and efforts to honor her, such as the planned placement of her portrait on the $20 bill, highlight her enduring significance in the American story. For more on groundbreaking American icons, explore the Buddy Holly – Life, Death, Songs and Unforgettable Legacy or the story of Biggie Smalls – The Life, Death, and Legacy of an Icon.
Frequently Asked Questions About Harriet Tubman
Was Harriet Tubman married?
Yes. She married John Tubman, a free Black man, in 1844. After his death, she married Nelson Davis in 1869.
Did Harriet Tubman have children?
She had no biological children, but she and her second husband adopted a daughter named Gertie.
What was Harriet Tubman’s role in the Civil War?
She served as a nurse, cook, laundress, spy, and scout for the Union Army. She also led the Combahee River Raid, freeing over 700 enslaved people.
How did Harriet Tubman escape slavery?
In 1849, she fled from Maryland to Philadelphia using the Underground Railroad, traveling by night and relying on abolitionists.
Why is Harriet Tubman called ‘Moses’?
Because she led her people out of slavery, similar to the biblical figure Moses.
Is Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill?
Plans to put her portrait on the $20 bill were announced in 2016 but have been delayed; as of 2025, the design is not yet in circulation.
Sophie Kendall is Culture & Communities Editor at RegionalReport.co.uk, covering community stories, arts, culture, festivals, local events and heritage.