Frederick Douglass
Escaped slavery; became leading abolitionist orator and writer.
Frederick Douglass (born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, c. February 14, 1818 – February 20, 1895) was an American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman, widely regarded as the most important leader of the 19th-century movement for African-American civil rights. Born into slavery on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, he never knew his exact birth date, later choosing February 14 in memory of his mother calling him her “Little Valentine.” His mother, of African descent, was enslaved; his father was a white man, likely her master. Separated from his mother as an infant, he lived with his maternal grandmother until age six, then moved to the Wye House plantation. After the death of his owner Aaron Anthony in 1826, Douglass was sent to Baltimore to serve Hugh and Sophia Auld. Sophia began teaching him the alphabet, but Hugh forbade it, arguing literacy would make enslaved people desire freedom—a lesson Douglass later called his first antislavery lecture. At about 12, he resolved to learn to read. In 1838, he escaped slavery and adopted the surname Douglass. Settling in Massachusetts and New York, he became a national abolitionist leader, renowned for his powerful oratory and incisive writings. His first autobiography, *Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave* (1845), became a bestseller, offering a living counterexample to claims that enslaved people lacked intellectual capacity. He wrote two subsequent autobiographies, *My Bondage and My Freedom* (1855) and *Life and Times of Frederick Douglass* (1881, revised 1892). After the Civil War, he campaigned for freed slaves’ rights and supported women’s suffrage. He held several public offices and, without his knowledge, became the first African American nominated for U.S. vice president on the Equal Rights Party ticket. Douglass believed in building alliances across racial and ideological lines, and he embraced an antislavery interpretation of the Constitution after breaking with William Lloyd Garrison.
- born
- c. February 14, 1818 (exact date unknown; he chose February 14)
- died
- February 20, 1895
- field
- Social reform, abolition, oratory, writing, statesmanship
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Leading the abolitionist movement; author of three autobiographies; first African American nominated for U.S. vice president
Lore & Background
In 1833, Thomas Auld sent Douglass to work for Edward Covey, a 'slave-breaker' who whipped him frequently. At age 16, Douglass fought back physically and Covey never beat him again. Douglass later described this fight as life-transforming. In 1838, he escaped from slavery. He took the surname Douglass after escaping. He wrote three autobiographies: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave (1845), My Bondage and My Freedom (1855), and Life and Times of Frederick Douglass (1881, revised 1892). He actively supported women's suffrage and held several public offices. Without his knowledge or consent, he became the first African American nominated for vice president of the United States, as the running mate of Victoria Woodhull on the Equal Rights Party ticket.
Reader's Guide
Frederick Douglass's significance lies in his role as a living counterexample to pro-slavery claims that enslaved people lacked intellectual capacity. His first autobiography became a bestseller and was influential in promoting abolition. After the Civil War, he campaigned for the rights of freed slaves. He believed in making alliances across racial and ideological divides and in the anti-slavery interpretation of the U.S. Constitution after breaking with William Lloyd Garrison. When radical abolitionists criticized his willingness to engage with slave owners, he replied: 'I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong.' His legacy includes his writings, his advocacy for women's suffrage, and his status as a prominent 19th-century civil rights leader.
Did You Know?
- Douglass chose to celebrate February 14 as his birthday because his mother called him her 'Little Valentine.'
- He became the first African American nominated for vice president of the United States, without his knowledge or consent, on the Equal Rights Party ticket.
- After a physical fight with slave-breaker Edward Covey, Covey never tried to beat him again.
- Douglass learned to read and write secretly after Sophia Auld stopped teaching him at her husband's insistence.
Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)
"Right is of no sex, Truth is of no color, God is the Father of us all, and we are all Brethren." — Frederick Douglass "The Constitution of the United States" (26 March 1860), Glasgow, United Kingdom." — Frederick Douglass "The man who is right is a majority. We, who have God and conscience on our side, have a majority against the universe." — Frederick Douglass "I know there is a hope in religion; I know there is faith and I know there is prayer about religion and necessary to it, but God is most glorified when there is peace on earth and good will towards men." — Frederick Douglass
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