Frederick Douglass
(1817?–1895)

Frederick Douglass rose out of slavery to become one of the most gifted writers and orators of his time. Using these talents, he dedicated his life to fighting for the abolition of slavery and for the civil rights of African Americans. Douglass's life served as an inspiration and example for people of all races throughout the country.

Douglass was born on a Maryland plantation. When he was eight, he was sent to live with the family of Hugh Auld in Baltimore. There, he learned to read and write, at first with the encouragement of Mrs. Auld and later despite her objections. When his desire for freedom was fueled by his reading, Douglass escaped from slavery at the age of 21.

In 1841, three years after his escape, Douglass was asked to speak at a convention of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society. Though he had never spoken in public before, Douglass delivered a tremendously powerful, moving speech. Impressed by his eloquence, the society immediately hired him as a lecturer.

Although he lived in constant fear of being arrested as a fugitive slave, Douglass spent the next four years lecturing throughout the Northeast. In 1845, he published his autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. Fearing that the book's publication would lead to his re-enslavement, Douglass fled to England, where he spent two years trying to gain British support for the abolitionist cause.

When several of his English friends raised enough money to buy his freedom, Douglass returned to the United States. Upon his return, he established the North Star, a newspaper for African Americans, and began lecturing again. In 1855, he published My Bondage and My Freedom, an updated version of his autobiography.

During the Civil War, Douglass helped to recruit African American soldiers for the Union army. After the war ended and slavery was abolished, he fought for civil rights. Douglass also held several government positions, such as the marshal and recorder of deeds of the District of Columbia and the United States minister of Haiti.

A  |  B  |  C  |  D  |  E  |  F  |  G  |  H  |  I  |  J  |  K  |  L  |  M
N  |  O  |  P  |  Q  |  R  |  S  |  T  |  U  |  V  |  W  |  X  |  Y  |  Z