Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass (born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, February 14{{ref|birthday}}, 1818 – February 20, 1895) was an American abolitionist, editor, orator, author, statesman and reformer. Called "The Sage of Anacostia" and "The Lion of Anacostia," Douglass was among the most prominent African-Americans of his time, and one of the most influential lecturers and authors in American history.

Later life

In 1877, Frederick Douglass purchased his final home in Washington D.C., on the banks of the Anacostia River. He named it Cedar Hill (also spelled CedarHill). He expanded the house from 14 to 21 rooms and included a china closet. One year later, Douglass expanded his property to 15 acres (61,000 m²), with the purchase of adjoining lots. The home is now the location of the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site.

Related Topics:
1877 - Washington D.C. - Anacostia River - Cedar Hill

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After the disappointments of Reconstruction, many African Americans called Exodusters moved to Kansas to form all-black towns. Douglass spoke out against the movement, urging blacks to stick it out. He was condemned and booed by black audiences.

Related Topics:
Reconstruction - Exoduster - Kansas

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In 1881, Douglass was appointed Recorder of Deeds for the District of Columbia. His wife (Anna Murray Douglas) died in 1882, leaving him in a state of depression. His association with the activist Ida B. Wells brought meaning back into his life. In 1884, Douglass married Helen Pitts, a white feminist from Honeoye, New York. Pitts was the daughter of Gideon Pitts, Jr., an abolitionist colleague and friend of Douglass. A graduate of Mount Holyoke Seminary, she had, while living in Washington, D.C. before her wedding, worked on a radical feminist publication named Alpha.

Related Topics:
1881 - Recorder of Deeds - District of Columbia - Anna Murray Douglas - 1882 - Ida B. Wells - Helen Pitts - Honeoye, New York - Gideon Pitts, Jr - Mount Holyoke Seminary - Washington, D.C.

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Frederick and Helen Pitts Douglass faced a storm of controversy as a result of their marriage. She was a white woman and nearly 20 years younger than he. Both families recoiled; her's stopped speaking to her; his was bruised, as they felt his marriage was a repudiation of their mother. But individualist feminist Elizabeth Cady Stanton congratulated the two http://winningthevote.org/FDouglass.html.

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The new couple traveled to England, France, Italy, Egypt and Greece from 1886 to 1887.

Related Topics:
England - France - Italy - Egypt - Greece - 1886 - 1887

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In later life, Douglass determined to ascertain his birthday. He was born in February of 1817 by his own calculations, but historians have found a record indicating his birth in February of 1818.

Related Topics:
February - 1817 - 1818

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In 1892 the Haitian government appointed Douglass as its commissioner to the Chicago World Columbian Exposition. He spoke for Irish Home Rule and on the efforts of Charles Stewart Parnell. He briefly revisited Ireland in 1886.

Related Topics:
Chicago - World Columbian Exposition - Irish Home Rule - Charles Stewart Parnell - Ireland - 1886

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Demise

On February 20, 1895, Douglass attended a meeting of the National Council of Women in Washington, D.C.. During that meeting, he was brought to the platform and given a standing ovation by the audience.

Related Topics:
February 20 - 1895 - Washington, D.C.

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Shortly after he returned home, Frederick Douglass died of a massive heart attack or stroke in his adopted hometown of Washington D.C.. He is buried in Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester, NY.

Related Topics:
Heart attack - Stroke - Washington D.C. - Mount Hope Cemetery - Rochester, NY

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