By The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Born
a slave in Maryland in 1818, Frederick Douglass became one of the most famous
men in nineteenth-century America. After his daring escape to New York City in
1838, he championed civil rights and fought to end slavery.
Douglass quotation (1868) by Douglass, Frederick (1818-1895)The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Life Under Slavery
Frederick Douglass was born in March 1818, in a cabin on a large Maryland plantation, to a slave mother and an unknown father. As a young boy, he experienced the horrors of life under slavery in the United States.
Reward for Nace Dorsey, a runaway slave (1860-07-15) by Smoot, A. JacksonThe Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Defined as property by law, slaves had no rights. Their masters had power over every aspect of their lives. Slaves lived in constant fear of harsh physical punishment and separation from family and loved ones by being sold “down south.”
Quote from, "A Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American slave. Written by himself." (1905-01-19) by Douglass, Frederick (1818-1895)The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Gateway to the Future
At seven years of age, Douglass was sent to Baltimore to live in the house of his new master, Hugh Auld. There, he learned to read. Douglass later asserted that the ability to read and write enabled him to comprehend the full meanings and horrors of slavery and gave him a fierce thirst for freedom.
Injured Humanity, Being a Representation of What the Unhappy Children of Africa Endure from Those Who Call Themselves Christians (1904-12-09) by Wood, SamuelThe Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Sophia Auld, Hugh Auld's wife, instructed Douglass in reading at first, but Mr. Auld soon stopped the lessons, because learning to read would "forever unfit him to be a slave."
Frederick Douglass then embarked on a secret program of self-education, reading newspapers, the Bible, and speeches from the Columbian Orator.
Autograph of Frederick Douglass, from private collection of autographs, quotations, and letters (1860-11-10) by Douglass, Frederick (1818-1895)The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
The summer of 1833 was a turning point in Douglass’s life. The “rebellious” young Douglass was sent to the farm of a vicious “slave breaker,” Edward Covey.
In July, after a fierce fight with Covey, from which Douglass emerged unbeaten, he vowed never to spend another day in slavery without fighting to be free.
Quote from, "A Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American slave. Written by himself." (1905-01-19) by Douglass, Frederick (1818-1895)The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Escape to Freedom
Back in Baltimore, Douglass began to plan his escape. He was greatly strengthened in his resolve by hearing and reading about abolitionists, men and women like John Quincy Adams and William Lloyd Garrison, who were working to end slavery.
Cabinet card portrait of Frederick Douglass (1905-02-27) by Bell, C.M.The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
On September 3, l838, Frederick Douglass disguised himself as a free seaman. Carrying false identification papers, he traveled by train and boat to New York City and freedom.
Hugh Auld to Anna Richardson regarding the purchase of Frederick Douglass (1846-10-06) by Auld, HughThe Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Though free, Douglass remained a fugitive under the law until friends in England purchased his liberty in 1846.
A Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American slave. Written by himself. (1905-01-19) by Douglass, Frederick (1818-1895)The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
In l845, Douglass published his autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave. Written by Himself, and dedicated his life to crusading against slavery.
Quote from, "A Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American slave. Written by himself." (1905-01-19) by Douglass, Frederick (1818-1895)The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Legacy
Frederick Douglass was an extraordinary man, and his life story is remarkable. Yet his quest for freedom and the difficult choices he made resonate for ordinary Americans who are facing great challenges in achieving their goals and dreams.
Douglass on each citizen's right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (1879-08-22) by Douglass, Frederick (1818-1895)The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Douglass asserted that the ability to read and write enabled him to comprehend the full meanings and horrors of slavery and gave him a fierce thirst for freedom.
His life is a testimony to the power of learning. Education opened his mind and heart to the larger world, where there were people who opposed slavery.
Frederick Douglass to his former master Hugh Auld (1857-10-10) by Douglass, Frederick (1818-1895)The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
In an extraordinary display of forgiveness, Douglass wrote to Hugh Auld, his former master: “I love you, but hate slavery.”
Although Douglass harbored a certain kind of love for Auld, a paternal figure to him in many ways, he despised the institution of slavery, which Auld would be forever associated with.
Read the letter on the Gilder Lehrman Institute website.
Afro-American Monument (1905-03-11) by B. F. Hammond (fl. 1897)The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Literacy gave Frederick Douglass the tools to escape bondage. Once he was free, his gifts as a writer and speaker gained national and international support for emancipation.
Quote from, "A Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American slave. Written by himself." (1905-01-19) by Douglass, Frederick (1818-1895)The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Developed by The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.
