Frederick Douglass

Young Plantation Life Born a slave in February, 1818 on the Eastern Shore of Maryland His original name was “Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey” Raised by his grandparents until they left him at the house of their master When he was seven his mom died, he had only seen her about five times in his life

Learning the Language At around eight years old he was sent to Baltimore to serve as a houseboy His new mistress, Sophia Auld, taught him the alphabet until her husband demanded her not to From there on he paid the boys in his neighborhood, with bread, to teach him how to read and write When he was about twelve he purchased The Columbian Orator, a book which taught him the power of literature

Returning to the Eastern Shore At about fifteen years old he returned to the eastern shore and became a field hand to an abusive slave breaker, Edward Covey During this time he experienced the tough life of a slave and later returned to Baltimore

Frederick’s Escape In 1838 Douglass escaped slavery and moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts with his new wife, Anna Murray Right away he started going to abolitionists'’ meetings and a black church He also subscribed to the Liberator, an anti-slavery newspaper

The Abolitionist After meeting Lloyd Garrison, the author of the Liberator, Douglass was inspired to give lecture about anti-slavery He gave his first lecture at the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society’s yearly convention in Nantucket Mass After his first speech he continued to give many more

Flyer for a Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society (MASS) Meeting

The Emancipator With President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, slaves were to be let free in confederate territory (i.e. the north), Douglass’ spirit was raised Douglass believed that since the cause of the Civil War would be slavery that blacks should be able to fight for freedom

- FREDERICK DOUGLASS "We were waiting and listening as for a bolt from the sky...we were watching...by the dim light of the stars for the dawn of a new day...we were longing for the answer to the agonizing prayers of centuries." Douglass Describing the Feelings of Those Waiting for Freedom

Douglass’ Three Keys to Success 1.Believe in yourself 2.Take advantage of every opportunity 3.Use the power of spoken and written language to effect positive change for yourself and society

Women’s Rights Activist In 1848, Douglass attended the first women’s rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York

In his Own Words

Bibliography ml. Frederick Douglass. April 28, ss_bio.html. Frederick Douglass. April 29, 2010.