Harriet Tubman (c. 1822–1913)

Harriet Tubman was an abolitionist, humanitarian, and one of the most iconic figures of the Underground Railroad. Born into slavery in Maryland, she escaped to freedom in the North and then risked her life repeatedly to help others do the same. During the Civil War, she served as a scout, nurse, and spy for the Union Army. Later in life, she advocated for women’s suffrage and established a home for elderly African Americans in Auburn. Tubman is widely regarded as a symbol of courage and freedom.

William H. Seward (1801–1872)

William Henry Seward was a prominent American politician who served as Governor of New York, U.S. Senator, and Secretary of State under Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson. He was a strong opponent of slavery and played a crucial role in keeping foreign powers out of the Civil War. Seward is perhaps best known for orchestrating the 1867 purchase of Alaska from Russia, initially ridiculed as “Seward’s Folly” but later recognized as a visionary move.

Frances Adeline Seward (1805–1865)

Frances Seward was the wife of William H. Seward and an active abolitionist in her own right. She supported the Underground Railroad and used her home in Auburn as a safe house for escaped slaves. She was deeply involved in social justice causes and was known for her progressive views on education and women’s rights.

Martha Coffin Wright (1806–1875)

Martha Coffin Wright was a suffragist, abolitionist, and social reformer. She was one of the organizers of the first Women’s Rights Convention in Seneca Falls in 1848 and was a close associate of Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Wright was also active in the abolitionist movement and supported the Underground Railroad.

Thomas Mott Osborne (1859–1926)

Thomas Mott Osborne was a progressive prison reformer and warden of Sing Sing Prison in New York. He was known for his advocacy of the “mutual welfare league” system, which encouraged inmate self-governance. Osborne’s reforms helped lay the foundation for modern rehabilitation-focused corrections systems.