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Frederick Douglass (born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, c. February 1817 or February 1818 – February 20, 1895) was an American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman. He became the most important leader of the movement for African-American civil rights in the 19th century.
- Who Was Frederick Douglass?
- Frederick Douglass Escapes from Slavery
- From Slavery to Abolitionist Leader
- 'Narrative of The Life of Frederick Douglass'
- Frederick Douglass in Ireland and Great Britain
- Frederick Douglass’ Abolitionist Paper
- Frederick Douglass Quotes
- Frederick Douglass During The Civil War
- Frederick Douglass: Later Life and Death
- Sources
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Frederick Douglass was born into slaveryin or around 1818 in Talbot County, Maryland. Douglass himself was never sure of his exact birth date. His mother was an enslaved Black womenand his father was white and of European descent. He was actually born Frederick Bailey (his mother’s name), and took the name Douglass only after he escaped. His full n...
After several failed attempts at escape, Douglass finally left Covey’s farm in 1838, first boarding a train to Havre de Grace, Maryland. From there he traveled through Delaware, another slave state, before arriving in New Yorkand the safe house of abolitionist David Ruggles. Once settled in New York, he sent for Anna Murray, a free Black woman from...
After their marriage, the young couple moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts, where they met Nathan and Mary Johnson, a married couple who were born “free persons of color.” It was the Johnsons who inspired the couple to take the surname Douglass, after the character in the Sir Walter Scott poem, “The Lady of the Lake.” In New Bedford, Douglass began...
Two years later, Douglass published the first and most famous of his autobiographies, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. (He also authored My Bondage and My Freedom and Life and Times of Frederick Douglass). In it Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, he wrote: “From my earliest recollection, I date the entertain...
Later that same year, Douglass would travel to Ireland and Great Britain. At the time, the former country was just entering the early stages of the Irish Potato Famine, or the Great Hunger. While overseas, he was impressed by the relative freedom he had as a man of color, compared to what he had experienced in the United States. During his time in ...
When he returned to the United States in 1847, Douglass began publishing his own abolitionist newsletter, the North Star. He also became involved in the movement for women’s rights. He was the only African American to attend the Seneca Falls Convention, a gathering of women’s rights activists in New York, in 1848. He spoke forcefully during the mee...
In 1852, he delivered another of his more famous speeches, one that later came to be called “What to a slave is the 4th of July?” In one section of the speech, Douglass noted, “What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is t...
During the brutal conflict that divided the still-young United States, Douglass continued to speak and worked tirelessly for the end of slavery and the right of newly freed Black Americans to vote. Although he supported President Abraham Lincoln in the early years of the Civil War, Douglass fell into disagreement with the politician after the Emanc...
In 1877, Douglass met with Thomas Auld, the man who once “owned” him, and the two reportedly reconciled. Douglass’ wife Anna died in 1882, and he married white activist Helen Pitts in 1884. In 1888, he became the first African American to receive a vote for President of the United States, during the Republican National Convention. Ultimately, thoug...
Frederick Douglas, PBS.org. Frederick Douglas, National Parks Service, nps.gov. Frederick Douglas, 1818-1895, Documenting the South, University of North Carolina, docsouth.unc.edu. Frederick Douglass Quotes, brainyquote.com. “Reception Speech. At Finsbury Chapel, Moorfields, England, May 12, 1846.” USF.edu. “What to the slave is the 4th of July?” T...
Learn about the life and legacy of Frederick Douglass, a formerly enslaved man who became a prominent activist, author and public speaker. Explore his autobiographies, speeches, role in the abolitionist movement and the Civil War, and his advocacy for women's rights.
May 23, 2024 · Frederick Douglass (born February 1818, Talbot county, Maryland, U.S.—died February 20, 1895, Washington, D.C.) was an African American abolitionist, orator, newspaper publisher, and author who is famous for his first autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself.
- Noelle Trent
Jun 13, 2012 · Frederick Douglass (c. 1817–1895) is a central figure in U.S. and African American history. [ 1] He was born into slavery circa 1817; his mother was an enslaved black woman, while his father was reputed to be his white master.
Apr 3, 2014 · Learn about the life and achievements of Frederick Douglass, a leader in the abolitionist movement and an early champion of women’s rights. Read about his escape from slavery, his autobiographies, his speeches and his legacy.
In his journey from enslaved young man to internationally renowned activist, Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) has been a source of inspiration and hope for millions. His brilliant words and brave actions continue to shape the ways that we think about race, democracy, and the meaning of freedom.
Jun 16, 2023 · Explore the life and legacy of Frederick Douglass, the preeminent African American voice of the nineteenth century, through his writings, speeches, and portraits. Learn how he used art, activism, and advocacy to advance the cause of human rights and social change.
