Who was Frederick Douglass?

February 7, 1818 – February 20, 1895 Frederick Baily was born a slave in Maryland. His mother, Harriet Baily was a slave. His father was a white man that he did not know. As a child, Douglass learned to read from the wife of one of his owners. She was impressed with his intellectual gifts. However, when her husband found out, she was forbidden to teach him any longer. Although it was illegal for slaves to learn to read, he did everything he could to learn to read. He learned from white children and taught himself from books. At great personal risk, he also taught other slaves to read.

At age 13, he began to look for ways to earn his freedom. When Frederick was about sixteen, he was placed under the control of Edward Covey, a small farmer reputed to have the ability to break a slave’s spirit. Frederick was whipped repeatedly, and very nearly was “broken” in spirit. Frederick tried to escape several times and was severely punished. After one attempt he was sent to jail .

On the Way to Freedom In 1838 he managed his successful escape with a great deal of help from friends. He borrowed a sailor’s uniform and obtained papers that identified him as a seaman. He boarded a train in Baltimore and traveled to Havre de Grace, crossed the Susquehanna River by ferry, and then continued by train to Wilmington, Delaware. From there he went to Philadelphia by steamboat and then to New York City by train. In 1838, he arrived in New York City. New York was a free state. Douglass endured 21 years in slavery before his escape

“A new world had opened upon me “A new world had opened upon me. Anguish and grief, like darkness and rain, may be depicted, but gladness and joy, like the rainbow, defy the skill of pen or pencil.”

Becoming an abolitionist He changed his name to Douglass to evade slave catchers. He became involved with William Lloyd Garrison’s Liberator, which led to his involvement in the abolitionist movement. Douglass became an outspoken abolitionist and was often attacked by pro- slavery crowds during his speeches.

A skilled lecturer Garrison hired Douglass as a lecturer for the abolitionist movement. It was reported that “Douglass [had] wit, arguments, sarcasm, pathos – all that first rate men show in their master effort.” In the years leading up to the Civil War, his powerful speeches encouraged the nation to turn away from slavery.

In 1845, Douglass published his autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. In his autobiography, he revealed the name of his former owner, risking capture and a return to slavery. To avoid this, he left the country. When he returned, two friends raised the money to purchase his freedom. In 1846 Douglas’s freedom was bought for $710.96. He continued to publish writings and lecture on the abolishment of slavery and rights for all.

“What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” The speech was delivered on July 5, 1852. (Nine years before the beginning of the Civil War.) At the time of this speech, abolitionism was dangerous work. Even in the North, most people did not think slavery was wrong. Abolitionist s were threatened and even killed. Fearlessly, abolitionists traveled to churches, schools, and lecture halls to argue for the end of slavery. They also published their ideas in a number of abolitionist newspapers. One of the most important of these papers was The North Star, which was published by Frederick Douglass from 1847 to 1860. Abolitionists fought slavery with RHETORIC – language was their weapon!.

Civil War Years Douglass was instrumental in recruiting black soldiers. He met with Abraham Lincoln to discuss ending slavery and was considered to be an advisor and good friend of the President. He campaigned for voting rights for both black men and all women.

After the civil War, Douglass moved to Washington DC and became involved in politics. He became the first U.S. black citizen to have a high rank in the government. Frederick Douglass died at the age of 77 in 1895 after a heart attack.

Guiding Questions for F.D. passage -