Who was the enslaved individual that sued for his freedom after being taken to a free state?

The individual who sued for his freedom after being taken to a free state was Dred Scott. This landmark case, known as Dred Scott v. Sandford, was a significant moment in U.S. history. Dred Scott was an enslaved African American man who had been taken by his master to live in Illinois and Wisconsin, both of which were free territories. He contended that living in these free areas entitled him to his freedom.

The Supreme Court's decision in 1857 denied Scott's claim, ruling that African Americans were not considered citizens and therefore had no right to bring a lawsuit. This ruling heightened tensions between the North and South regarding the issue of slavery and contributed to the growing divide that would eventually lead to the Civil War. The importance of Scott's case lies in its implications regarding citizenship, rights, and the federal government's role in regulating slavery.