The prominent abolitionist known for leading slave escapes via the Underground Railroad was Harriet Tubman. Born into slavery, Tubman escaped to freedom and risked her life by returning to the South numerous times to help others escape. She became a key figure in the Underground Railroad, a network of safe houses and routes that helped enslaved people flee to free states and Canada. Tubman's bravery, strategic thinking, and commitment to emancipation made her an enduring symbol of the fight against slavery and the quest for freedom in American history.