Frederick Douglass, who lived from 1818 to 1895, is often called the father of the abolitionist movement. Abolitionists fought to end slavery.
Frederick Bailey (his original name) was born a slave in Maryland in 1818. At a young age, he was separated from his mother and sent to work in a Baltimore manor house. Here, he taught himself how to read and write. He got help from the woman of the house, even though it was against the law to educate slaves. When the husband found out, he sent Frederick back to the fields.
Frederick believed that education was a path to freedom. He taught other slaves how to read and write. This made him very unpopular with the slave owner.
Frederick tried to escape many times. Finally, at the age of 20, he did. With the help of a woman in Baltimore, he disguised himself as a sailor and escaped to New York. He then married Anna Murray, the person who helped him escape, and changed his last name to Douglass.
Frederick and Anna moved to Massachusetts where Douglass did a lot of public speaking and writing about slavery. He published a newspaper and wrote a book about his life as a slave. The Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave was published in 1845. It was popular then and is still considered to be one of the most important books ever written in America.
During the Civil War (1861-1865), Douglass was probably the most famous black person in the country. He became an advisor to President Lincoln. Later in his life, Douglass was appointed Ambassador to Haiti.
Until he died in 1895, Douglass continued to fight for civil rights. He was also a very strong supporter of women's rights.
Frederick Douglass was an excellent writer and speaker. His words inspired many of the civil rights leaders who followed him.
Here are a few of Douglass's famous quotes:
"It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men."
"If there is no struggle, there is no progress."
Source: worksheetsplus.com/BlackHistory/FredDouglass.html Who Is Frederick Douglass?
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