Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass[2†]

Frederick Douglass, originally named Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, was born in February 1818 in Talbot county, Maryland, U.S., and passed away on February 20, 1895, in Washington, D.C[1†][2†]. He was a prominent African American abolitionist, orator, newspaper publisher, and author, renowned for his first autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself[1†]. Douglass became the first Black U.S. marshal and was the most photographed American man of the 19th century[1†].

After escaping from slavery in Maryland, Douglass became a national leader of the abolitionist movement in Massachusetts and New York, gaining fame for his oratory and incisive antislavery writings[1†][2†]. His writings served as a living counterexample to enslavers’ arguments that enslaved people lacked the intellectual capacity to function as independent American citizens[1†][2†]. Douglass wrote three autobiographies, describing his experiences as an enslaved person and gaining his freedom[1†][2†].

Douglass was not only a leader in the fight against slavery but also a powerful voice for civil rights in the 19th century[1†][2†]. His willingness to engage in dialogue with slave owners and his belief in the anti-slavery interpretation of the U.S. Constitution set him apart from other abolitionists of his time[1†][2†].

Early Years and Education

Frederick Douglass was born as Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey in February 1818 in Talbot County, Maryland[1†][3†]. The exact date of his birth is unknown, but he later adopted February 14 as his birthday[1†][3†]. His mother, Harriet Bailey, was a black slave woman, and his father was a white man, believed to be his master, Aaron Anthony[1†][3†].

Douglass spent the first seven or eight years of his life at Holmes Hill Farm[1†]. He was separated from his mother at a young age, a common practice at the time, and was raised by his grandmother, Betsey Bailey[1†][3†]. He saw his mother only four or five times during the first seven years of his life before she passed away in 1825[1†][3†].

In 1826, when Douglass was about seven or eight years old, he was separated from his grandmother and sent to the Wye House plantation, also known as the Great House[1†][3†]. There, he observed the brutal conditions under which slaves were subjected, especially under the supervision of Captain Anthony[1†][3†].

Despite the harsh conditions, Douglass developed a strong desire for knowledge. Although slaves were prohibited from learning to read and write, Douglass secretly taught himself these skills[1†][4†][5†]. At the age of twelve, he bought a book called The Columbian Orator, which played a crucial role in his self-education[1†][5†].

In the next phase of his life, Douglass was sent to live with the Auld family in Baltimore[1†][3†]. This move marked a turning point in his life. Sophia Auld, the wife of Hugh Auld, treated Douglass kindly and even taught him to read before her husband stopped her[1†][3†][6†]. However, the seeds of literacy had been planted, and Douglass continued to educate himself, laying the foundation for his future as a renowned orator and writer[1†][3†][6†].

Career Development and Achievements

After escaping from slavery in 1838, Frederick Douglass became a prominent abolitionist, using his powerful oratory skills and writing to advocate for the immediate end of slavery[7†]. His escape marked a turning point in his life and set the stage for his remarkable achievements as an abolitionist and advocate for social justice[7†].

Douglass dedicated his life to advocating for the immediate and total abolition of slavery[7†]. His powerful speeches and writings, filled with firsthand accounts of the horrors of slavery, resonated with audiences across the United States and beyond[7†]. Douglass played a pivotal role in organizing and mobilizing support for the abolitionist cause, working alongside prominent figures such as William Lloyd Garrison and Harriet Tubman[7†].

In 1845, Douglass published his groundbreaking autobiography, titled “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave”[7†]. The book provided a firsthand account of his life in slavery, detailing the brutalities he experienced and witnessed. The narrative vividly described the physical abuse, emotional torment, and dehumanization that enslaved individuals endured[7†]. Douglass’s autobiography became an instant bestseller and a powerful tool for the abolitionist movement[7†].

Apart from his anti-slavery efforts, Douglass supported various other causes mostly related to equality in society[7†][8†]. He achieved international fame as a writer and orator of great persuasive power[7†][8†]. He used these skills to advocate, among other things, equal rights for women most prominently their right to vote[7†][8†].

Douglass founded an abolitionist newspaper, the North Star, and played a crucial role in recruiting African American soldiers during the Civil War[7†]. He was also an advocate for women’s rights and held government positions, breaking barriers for African Americans[7†].

Douglass stands as the most influential civil and human rights advocate of the 19th century[7†][9†]. He dedicated his life to fighting for racial equality and remains an enduring symbol of freedom and justice[7†].

First Publication of His Main Works

Frederick Douglass was a prolific writer and his works have had a profound impact on American literature and history[2†][10†][11†][8†]. Here are some of his main works:

• Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself (1845)[2†][10†][8†]: This was Douglass’s first autobiography, which became a bestseller and was influential in promoting the cause of abolition[2†][8†]. It provided a first-hand account of his experiences as an enslaved person and his journey to freedom[2†].
• My Bondage and My Freedom (1855)[2†][10†][8†]: This was Douglass’s second autobiography, which provided more details about his transition from bondage to liberty[2†][8†]. It was also instrumental in advancing the abolitionist cause[2†].
• Life and Times of Frederick Douglass (1881, revised in 1892)[2†][10†][8†]: This was Douglass’s last autobiography, which covered his life up to those dates[2†]. It was written after the emancipation of American slaves following the Civil War[2†][8†].

In addition to his autobiographies, Douglass published hundreds of essays and delivered thousands of speeches[2†][11†]. He also edited the longest-running Black newspaper in the nineteenth century, The North Star (later Frederick Douglass’ Paper and Douglass’ Monthly)[2†][11†].

Douglass’s writings were not only a reflection of his personal experiences but also a critique of the institution of slavery and a call for its abolition[2†]. His eloquent prose and powerful narratives provided a counter-narrative to the prevailing stereotypes about enslaved people and played a crucial role in shaping public opinion on slavery[2†].

Analysis and Evaluation

Frederick Douglass’s writings, particularly his autobiographies, have been subject to extensive analysis and evaluation[12†][13†][14†]. His works are not only a reflection of his personal experiences but also a critique of the institution of slavery and a call for its abolition[12†][13†].

Douglass’s first autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself, is considered a seminal work in African-American literature[12†][13†]. In this work, Douglass emphasizes the dangers that slavery poses to all aspects of society and identifies education as a significant means with which to bring down that institution[12†]. He presents himself as a reasoned, rational figure, capable of seeing both sides of an issue, even the issue of slavery[12†][14†]. His tone is dry and he does not exaggerate[12†][14†]. He makes no excuses for slave owners, but he does make an effort to present a realistic—if critical—account of how and why slavery operates[12†][14†].

Douglass’s later works, My Bondage and My Freedom and Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, continue to explore these themes[12†][13†]. They provide a more detailed account of his life and experiences, and they further his critique of slavery and his advocacy for abolition[12†][13†].

Douglass’s writings have had a profound impact on American literature and history[12†][13†][15†]. His eloquent prose and powerful narratives provided a counter-narrative to the prevailing stereotypes about enslaved people and played a crucial role in shaping public opinion on slavery[12†][13†]. His works served as an inspiration to the civil rights movement of the 1960s and beyond[12†][13†].

Personal Life

Frederick Douglass was born as Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey[1†][2†]. He was the son of Harriet Bailey, an enslaved woman, and an unknown white father[1†][11†]. Douglass was married twice in his lifetime. His first wife was Anna Murray, whom he married in 1838[1†][2†]. Together, they had five children: Rosetta, Lewis, Frederick Jr., Charles, and Annie[1†][5†]. Anna Murray passed away in 1882[1†][2†].

After Anna’s death, Douglass married Helen Pitts in 1884[1†][2†]. Helen was a feminist and the daughter of Gideon Pitts Jr., an abolitionist colleague and friend of Douglass[1†][2†]. Douglass’s marriage to Helen, a white woman, stirred a lot of controversy given the racial attitudes of the time[1†][2†].

Douglass lived with his grandmother Betsey Bailey during his early years[1†][16†]. His mother passed away in 1825, and he saw her only four or five times during his life[1†][16†]. Douglass was then moved to the Wye House plantation, the Great House, owned by Colonel Lloyd[1†][16†].

Douglass’s personal life was marked by his struggle for freedom, his fight against slavery, and his commitment to equality. His personal experiences deeply influenced his writings and speeches, making him a pivotal figure in the abolitionist movement[1†][2†].

Conclusion and Legacy

Frederick Douglass’s life and legacy have inspired activism, literature, visual, film, and performance art, curricula in many fields and grade levels, literacy initiatives, and much more[17†]. His life and legacy speak to issues as diverse as voting rights, the rights of women and immigrants, congressional representation for citizens of Washington, DC, and the indispensable role of the black press[17†].

Douglass’s most important legacy was the use of his words to fight for the freedom and rights of African Americans[17†][18†]. He used his oratory and writing skills throughout his life to communicate his desire to free African American slaves, which led to the Emancipation Proclamation brought by President Abraham Lincoln[17†][18†]. He then advocated for equal rights and opportunities for his fellow Americans as a Civil Rights leader[17†][18†].

His speeches and publications are part of America’s cultural history and of African American contemporary literature and politics[17†][18†]. Douglass’ three autobiographies are one of the strongest influences in the slave narrative literary genre[17†][18†]. His influence can be felt today as references in hip hop songs[17†][18†].

One of his most relevant messages may be his belief that people have the power to shape their own future[17†][18†]. He believed that positive changes have cumulative effect and individual transformation would positively benefit society as a whole[17†][18†]. His vision was finally realized when Barack Obama became the first African American president of the United States on November 2008[17†][18†].

After his death, Helen Pitts Douglass established the Frederick Douglass Memorial and Historical Association to preserve his legacy[17†][1†]. She bequeathed the home and its belongings to the organization in her will[17†][1†].

Key Information

• Also Known As: Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey[1†]
• Born: February 1818, Talbot County, Maryland, U.S.[1†]
• Died: February 20, 1895, Washington, D.C.[1†]
• Nationality: American[1†]
• Occupation: Abolitionist, orator, newspaper publisher, author[1†][13†]
• Notable Works: "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself"[1†]
• Notable Achievements: Frederick Douglass was a formerly enslaved man who became a prominent activist, author, and public speaker. He became a leader in the abolitionist movement, which sought to end the practice of slavery, before and during the Civil War[1†][13†]. After that conflict and the Emancipation Proclamation of 1862, he continued to push for equality and human rights until his death in 1895[1†][13†]. Douglass’ 1845 autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, described his time as an enslaved worker in Maryland. It was one of five autobiographies he penned, along with dozens of noteworthy speeches, despite receiving minimal formal education[1†][13†].

References and Citations:

1. Britannica - Frederick Douglass: United States official and diplomat [website] - link
2. Wikipedia (English) - Frederick Douglass [website] - link
3. Frederick Douglass Heritage - Biography – Early Life [website] - link
4. Google Books - The Life and Writings of Frederick Douglass: Early years, 1817-1849 - Frederick Douglass, Philip Sheldon Foner [website] - link
5. U.S. National Park Service - Frederick Douglass - Frederick Douglass National Historic Site [website] - link
6. Britannica - What was Frederick Douglass’s childhood like? [website] - link
7. Have Fun With History - 10 Frederick Douglass Accomplishments and Achievements [website] - link
8. Learnodo Newtonic - 10 Major Accomplishments of Frederick Douglass [website] - link
9. History - Why Frederick Douglass Matters [website] - link
10. Library of America - Frederick Douglass - [website] - link
11. National Portrait Gallery - One Life: Frederick Douglass [website] - link
12. SparkNotes - Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: Study Guide [website] - link
13. History - Frederick Douglass - Narrative, Quotes & Facts [website] - link
14. SparkNotes - Frederick Douglass Character Analysis in Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass [website] - link
15. LitCharts - The Narrative of Frederick Douglass Study Guide [website] - link
16. Frederick Douglass Heritage - Timeline of the Life of Frederick Douglass c.1818-1840 [website] - link
17. American Historical Association - Perspectives on History - Frederick Douglass at 200: Making New Meaning of His Life and Legacy [website] - link
18. Frederick Douglass Heritage - Legacy and Significance of Frederick Douglass [website] - link