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Frederick Douglass (1818 -1895) was the most prominent African-American leader of the
19th century. A excellent orator, dedicated editor, bestselling author, and presidential advisor,
Douglass crusaded for human rights as an abolitionist, a strong advocate for women's suffrage, and a voice for social justice.

Douglass was born into slavery as Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey to an African slave mother and white father in Tuckahoe, Maryland in the month of February, 1818. He was separated from his mother when he was only a few weeks old and was raised by his
Grandparents. When he was six years old, his grandmother took him, without warning, to his master’s plantation to live. At age eight, he was sent to live with his master’s relatives, Hugh and
Sophia Auld. Sophia started to teach him to read and write as a child, in which she was violating the state laws towards slavery. It was under the instruction of Mrs. Auld that young Frederick first learned the alphabet and did not last long as Mr. Auld discovered these lessons. Mr. Auld quickly put a stop to the lessons and left a profound impression on young Frederick. To continue learning Frederick was aware that it would bring him unhappiness but also bring him more power over his enslavers. Rather than accepting Mr. Aulds dictates Frederick took his first rebellious steps toward freedom by teaching himself to read and write.

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He escaped slavery at age 20, married, and later moved to Massachusetts. He adopted the name
“Douglass” and began to speak on behalf of abolitionism. Eventually, he embarked upon a threeyear
speaking