Nat Turner is widely regarded as one of the most complex figures in American history and literature. He was the leader of one of the United States' most famous uprisings. Nat Turner's rebellion was one of the bloodiest and most heroic events in American history. His actions, said to be divinely inspired, ignited a culture of fear in Southampton County, Virginia that eventually spread to the rest of the South. It's said to have expedited the coming of the Civil War. In the immediate aftermath of the rebellion, however, many Southern states including North Carolina tightened restrictions on African Americans. Nat Turner, though, managed to elude capture for over two months. He hid in the Dismal Swamp area and was discovered accidentally by a hunter on October 30th. He surrendered peacefully.