Frederick Douglass (1817-1895) Is Most Often Remembered

Frederick Douglass (1817-1895) is most often remembered as being the "most prominent African-American orator, journalist and antislavery leaders of the 19th century." (Encarta) Douglass was himself an escaped slave who campaigned for the abolition of slavery. He published his autobiography in three complete versions, which depicted his life as a slave in the South and a runaway slave in the North. He described what life as a free black was like before the Civil War; throughout his life he fought for equal rights for African-Americans and he held several positions within the government. He was born in 1817 in Talbot County, Maryland to a slave named Harriet Bailey and an unknown white man. Because his mother was a slave, he also became a slave.

Separated from his mother at a young age, Douglass was taught how to read by a master's wife. Douglass' life was most influenced by his first book he ever purchased, The Columbian Orator, which convinced him of everyone's right to be free. This book was the cornerstone in his life as it taught him the valuable skills of public speaking. His first official speaking engagement was in 1841 at the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society Convention in Nantucket. He was hired by the society as a full-time orator. This initial position eventually led to his appointment with the much larger American Anti-Slavery Society, which allowed him to travel throughout the North speaking at meetings, giving lectures to the general public and helping recruit new members. Not only did he fight for the end to slavery, but one step further - equal rights for all blacks. He became the most moving orator of all African-American orators at that time.

Because of some growing speculation regarding whether he was actually ever a slave, Douglass decided to publish an autobiography entitled "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass," which was published in 1845. He named the names of all of his former masters and described with brutal detail his life as a slave. This work was one of the first of its kind, and is still today one of the leading sources of information regarding slavery. Douglass later published two additional autobiographies: "My Bondage and My Freedom" (1855), and finally "Life and Times of Frederick Douglass" (1881). Despite all of these accomplishments, he still feared capture by his owners, the Aulds; he went abroad in 1845, touring England and Ireland for two years. British friends purchased his freedom in 1847, allowing him to return to America without the threat of eventual recapture. As if publishing a famous autobiography were not enough, Douglass began a newspaper printed entirely by blacks upon his return to America. The weekly publication was called "The North Star," but was renamed "Frederick Douglass' Weekly." A supplemental publication entitled "Douglass' Monthly" followed. Douglass published these newspapers in his new home state of New York from December 1847 through May 1863. His fame only grew, not only as an orator, but now as a talented journalist. (Encarta)

After helping recruit African-American soldiers during the Civil War, Douglass returned to his fight for freedom and equal rights to all Americans. During the postwar rebuilding of a new America, Douglass fought for suffrage (voting rights regarding legislation and public officials) and spoke out for coming to the aid of former slaves. He worked tirelessly for the passage of the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments, which completely rid America of slavery, gave American citizenship to everyone born in America and prevented racial discrimination with regard to voting. Not only did Douglass fight for the rights of blacks, but he also fought for the equal rights of women. In 1872 he was the vice-presidential candidate for the first woman to ever run for president, Victoria Woodhull. With his move to Washington D.C. In 1872, Douglass began his career as a government official - serving as U.S. Marshall for D.C. from 1877 to 1881. He then recorded deeds for D.C. until 1886. Three years later, he became the U.S. Minister to Haiti, which he did until 1891. His wife of 44 years had died in 1882. Two years later, Douglass married Helen Pitts, a white woman who had been his secretary. Many whites, and some blacks found fault in his marriage, which fell outside of his race. Douglass rejected this notion, feeling that his actions, along with the actions of every American, should not be restricted because of skin color. His marriage, according to his philosophy, added another victory in his win column against discrimination. (Encarta)