The Life and Times of Frederick Douglass from 1817 - 1832

Frederick Douglass was the preeminent African American spokesmen for the abolition of slavery. Born a slave in Maryland, Douglass escaped to New York in 1838. Later, he went to Massachusetts where he met abolitionist leader William Lloyd Garrison, who encouraged Douglass to become active in the movement. Before he was 30, Douglass had become an accomplished orator and writer, lecturing throughout the world and advocating for the equality of all people. His English audiences were so swayed by his words that they sent his former owner the money to buy his freedom, securing his ability to spread his message.