📕African American Literature – Before 1900 Unit 6 – Frederick Douglass: Abolitionist Leader

Who Was Frederick Douglass?

• African American abolitionist, writer, and orator born into slavery in 1818 in Talbot County, Maryland
• Became one of the most influential figures in the fight against slavery and a prominent voice for social justice
• Escaped from slavery in 1838 and dedicated his life to the abolitionist cause
• Wrote several autobiographies, including "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave" (1845)
• Served as a advisor to President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War
• Advocated for women's rights and supported the women's suffrage movement
• Held various government positions, including U.S. Marshal for the District of Columbia and U.S. Minister to Haiti

Early Life and Enslavement

• Born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey on a plantation in Maryland to an enslaved mother, Harriet Bailey, and an unknown white father
• Separated from his mother at a young age and raised by his maternal grandmother, Betsey Bailey, until the age of six
• Sent to serve the Auld family in Baltimore at age eight, where he learned to read and write with the help of his master's wife, Sophia Auld
  • Sophia initially taught Douglass the alphabet, but her husband Hugh Auld disapproved, believing that education would make slaves unfit for servitude
  • Douglass continued to learn to read and write in secret, trading bread for lessons from white children in the neighborhood
• Hired out to a notorious "slave-breaker" named Edward Covey at age 16, who subjected Douglass to brutal physical and psychological abuse
  • After six months of abuse, Douglass fought back against Covey, marking a turning point in his life and his resolve to seek freedom

Path to Freedom

• Planned an escape attempt with other enslaved individuals in 1835, but the plot was discovered, and Douglass was jailed
• Successfully escaped slavery on September 3, 1838, by boarding a train to Havre de Grace, Maryland, dressed in a sailor's uniform
  • Traveled by train and steamboat to New York City, where he declared himself a free man
• Married Anna Murray, a free black woman from Baltimore, who had helped him escape by providing money and a sailor's uniform
• Settled in New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he adopted the surname Douglass and began attending abolitionist meetings

Becoming an Abolitionist

• Inspired by the speeches of abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison and joined the anti-slavery movement
• Began speaking at abolitionist gatherings, sharing his experiences as a former slave and advocating for the end of slavery
• Delivered his first public speech at an anti-slavery convention in Nantucket, Massachusetts, in 1841
• Became a lecturer for the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society, traveling extensively to speak out against slavery
• Published his first autobiography, "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave," in 1845
  • The book became an instant bestseller and was translated into several languages
  • To avoid being recaptured and returned to slavery, Douglass embarked on a two-year speaking tour in Great Britain and Ireland

Key Writings and Speeches

• "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave" (1845): An autobiographical account of Douglass's life as a slave and his journey to freedom
• "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" (1852): A powerful speech delivered in Rochester, New York, criticizing the hypocrisy of celebrating freedom while slavery persisted
• "My Bondage and My Freedom" (1855): An expanded version of his first autobiography, providing more details about his life and his growth as an abolitionist
• "Life and Times of Frederick Douglass" (1881): A further expanded autobiography, covering his life from birth to the post-Civil War era
• "The Heroic Slave" (1853): A fictional novella based on the true story of Madison Washington, an enslaved man who led a rebellion on a slave ship

Impact on the Abolitionist Movement

• Douglass's writings and speeches provided a firsthand account of the horrors of slavery, helping to galvanize support for the abolitionist cause
• His eloquence and intellectual prowess challenged racist stereotypes and proved that African Americans were capable of great achievements
• Played a crucial role in the Underground Railroad, helping enslaved individuals escape to freedom
• Recruited African American soldiers to fight for the Union during the Civil War, believing that their participation would help secure their freedom and citizenship rights
• Advocated for the passage of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, which abolished slavery, granted citizenship rights, and protected voting rights for African Americans

Literary Style and Themes

• Douglass's writings are characterized by vivid descriptions, powerful imagery, and a masterful use of rhetorical devices
• His works often explore themes of identity, resistance, and the struggle for freedom and equality
• Employs a combination of personal anecdotes, biblical allusions, and political commentary to convey his message
• Uses irony and satire to expose the hypocrisies of slavery and racism in American society
• His autobiographies serve as both historical documents and literary works, blending elements of the slave narrative genre with a more introspective and philosophical approach

Legacy and Modern Relevance

• Douglass's life and works continue to inspire activists and advocates for social justice
• His writings are studied in schools and universities as examples of African American literature and important historical documents
• The Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Washington, D.C., preserves his home and serves as a museum dedicated to his life and legacy
• In 2020, Douglass's descendants delivered his "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" speech as part of a national campaign to promote racial justice
• His fight against slavery, racism, and inequality remains relevant in the ongoing struggle for civil rights and social justice in the United States and around the world