Frederick Douglass

Born a slave, Frederick Douglass was to become one of the most outspoken and articulate people in the abolitionist movement.

When Frederick Douglass was twelve years old, the wife of his slave owner taught him to read in violation of the law. He later purchased the book The Columbian Orator: Containing a Variety of Original and Selected Pieces Together With Rules, Which Are Calculated to Improve Youth and Others, in the Ornamental and useful art of eloquence by Caleb Bingham, A. M. from which he learned to write.

When he was fifteen years old, Douglass was turned over to Edward Covey who had a reputation as a “slave breaker” and for his extrordinary cruelty. After receiving many beatings from Covey Douglass fought back. While he lost, Covey never beat him again and it was not spoken about since Covey found it humiliating.

Douglass joined a debating society in 1837, the East Baltimore Mental Improvement Society. During this period, Douglass honed his debating skills and through it, he met and became friends with Anna Murray, a free African-American housekeeper. She purchased fraudulent sailor’s papers that Douglass used, in conjunction with a sailor’s uniform to escape by boarding a train to Maryland.

After arriving in the north, Douglass quickly became involved in abolitionist activities with William Lloyd Garrison. He toured throughout the north speaking against slavery. He eventually became publisher for a number of papers speaking out against slavery.

Frederick Douglass’ most famous work, the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass tells his life story and includes many details of early slave life, his treatment at the hands of his “masters”, his escape, and later life. When originally published, it was a huge best seller and continues to be a very influential work even today.

After the publication of his autobiography, he had to flee to Europe because of fears that his former “owner” would try to reclaim him as “property”. He was able to return two years later when two women in Britain purchased his freedom for $750 from his former owner Hugh Auld.

Douglass became a notable authority within government on slavery and the treatment of slaves. He worked with Abraham Lincoln in 1863 on the treatment of black soldiers. He later worked with President Andrew Johnson on black suffrage.

On February 20th, 1895 Frederick Douglass attended a meeting of the National Council of Women in Washington D.C. He received a standing ovation when he was brought to the stage. Later that same day, he returned home and died.

Works By Frederick Douglass :

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave