Download Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass
1817 ? – 1895
Frederick Douglass
• Born into slavery in Maryland and separated
from his mother soon after birth
– Douglass referred to this separation as a cruel and
barbaric act resulting from the slave system;
however, fitting with the idea of slavery: reducing
man to brute
• Because records were rarely kept for children born into
slavery, he was never sure of his exact age.
• Douglass received no formal education; and instead, taught
himself to read with help from individuals in his household.
(The individuals later felt that Douglass’s ability to read was
incompatible with being enslaved.)
• Escaped to Massachusetts around approx. the age of 21.
– Married and began making public speeches in support of the
abolitionist cause.
– Changed his last name from Bailey to Douglass (inspired by a
Romantic hero in a novel).
Frederick Douglass
• In 1845, Douglass went to England due to
danger he faced as a fugitive.
– Part of that danger resulted from the publication
of his autobiography, “Narrative of the Life of
Frederick Douglass, an American Slave,”
which came out that same year.
• British friends collected around $700 and purchased his freedom.
• Douglass returns to the States in 1847
– Founded a newspaper where he championed the abolition of slavery
– Published a revised version of his life story, “My Bondage and My
Freedom”
• Both of his life stories were widely read and quite influential in the
abolitionist cause.
• During the Civil War, Douglass worked for the Underground
Railroad and helped recruit black soldiers for the Union armies.
• 1881 – he published yet another version of his life story, “The Life
and Times of Frederick Douglass”
Douglass Reading Assignment
• Read “from Narrative of the Life of
Frederick Douglass” (pg. 399 – 403)
• Read “from My Bondage and My
Freedom” (pg. 413)
– Both due by Monday
• Reminder: The Jungle Ch. 1-3 is also due
Monday