Birthdate: Unknown, 1817-1818
Nationality: American
Bio:
Frederick Douglass was born into slavery around 1818 in Maryland. He does not know his exact birthdate, as slaves were rarely given official birth records. He was separated from his mother as a child and raised by his grandmother. Douglass experienced the terrible conditions of slavery first hand through severe beatings and mistreatment by his masters. Despite being forbidden to learn how to read or write, Douglass taught himself as a child by having neighborhood children teach him the alphabet.
Douglass managed to escape from slavery in 1838 by boarding a train to the North. He then moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts where he started his lifelong work as an abolitionist speaker and writer. In 1841 he published his first autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. This book became an instant bestseller and brought Douglass national recognition for his powerful condemnation of the institution of slavery from his own experiences. Douglass lectured extensively throughout the United States and United Kingdom, drawing large crowds.
During the Civil War, Douglass served as an advisor to President Abraham Lincoln on issues related to slavery. He helped recruit black soldiers for the Union army. After the war, Douglass continued his work fighting for equal rights and justice. He was a strong advocate for women’s suffrage as well as black voting rights. In 1872 he published his last autobiography, Life and Times of Frederick Douglass. Douglass held several political appointments and was even appointed Marshal of the District of Columbia by President Rutherford B. Hayes.
Frederick Douglass was one of the most prominent African American leaders in United States history. Through his inspiring writings and speeches, he played a huge role in raising awareness of the injustices and immoralities of slavery. Douglass lived to see the end of slavery with the ratification of the 13th Amendment in 1865, but he continued fighting against racism, discrimination, and unequal treatment for the rest of his life until his death in 1895. Douglass demonstrated courage and determination in overcoming the obstacles of slavery and racial injustice through non-violent means of persuasion, education, and advocacy for equal rights. He left an enduring legacy as one of America’s first and most influential civil rights leaders.
