People

painting of sengbe pieh
Sengbe Pieh (Joseph Cinque)

Learn about the man responsible for taking over the Amistad, which ultimately led to one of the nation's first civil rights trials

photograph of john quincy adams
John Quincy Adams and the Amistad Event

John Quincy Adams argued the Mende case before the Supreme Court. Learn why the Amistad Committee felt he was the best candidate to do so

photograph of martin van buren
Martin Van Buren and the Amistad Event

Learn about the role Martin Van Buren played in the Amistad trial and its impact on his presidency

portrait of lewis tappan, one of the committee's founders
The Amistad Committee

Learn about the Amistad Committee, which worked tirelessly to secure counsel and accommodations for the Amistad captives

Last updated: July 21, 2017