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.

Life as a slave

Frederick Douglass was born a slave in Talbot County, Maryland near Tuckahoe Creek. As a boy, he lived twelve miles from his mother, who often walked the twenty-four-mile round trip to visit him. She died when Douglass was nine years old. Douglass never knew anything about the identity of his father, other than that he was a white man, although some believe that his master, Captain Aaron Anthony, was his father. When Anthony died, Douglass came into the possession of Mrs. Lucretia Auld, wife of Captain Thomas Auld; the young man was sent to Baltimore to serve the Captain's brother, Hugh Auld.

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Early education

When Douglass was twelve, Hugh Auld's wife, Sophia, broke the law by teaching him to read. Mr. Auld disapproved, saying that if a slave learns to read, he would become dissatisfied with his condition and desire freedom; Douglass later referred to this as the first abolitionist speech he had ever heard. Another turning point was when he purchased a copy of the book The Columbian Orator: Containing a Variety of Original and Selected Pieces Together With Rules, Which Are Calculated to Improve Youth and Others, in the Ornamental and useful art of eloquence by Caleb Bingham, A. M. (ISBN 0814713238). It was the first book he ever owned. Douglass studied and memorized classic speeches by the Roman orator Cicero in order to find his own voice.

Related Topics:
The Columbian Orator - Cicero

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During this period, Douglass became attached to a deeply religious man known to us as "Uncle Lawson", who became a spiritual father to Douglass. The young Douglass took every opportunity to be with Lawson, who told him that it was possible for him to be delivered from bondage. Douglass fervently prayed to God that it so transpire.

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The fight with Edward Covey

In 1834, Hugh Auld rented Douglass out to a farmer named Edward Covey, a "slave breaker" of extraordinary cruelty. The 15-year-old Douglass was indeed nearly broken psychologically by his ordeal under Covey, but finally rebelled against the beatings and fought back. Covey lost out on a confrontation with Douglass and never tried to beat him again. This incident was kept under wraps as Covey was ashamed of his defeat.

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In 1836, Hugh and Sophia Auld hired Douglass out to work as a caulker in a Baltimore, Maryland shipyard and allowed him to keep a portion of his wages. Though Douglass became a master caulker, whites refused to work alongside him.

Related Topics:
1836 - Caulker - Baltimore, Maryland - Shipyard

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Escape to freedom

In 1837, Douglass joined the East Baltimore Mental Improvement Society, a debating club of free blacks. Through the society, he met a free African-American housekeeper, Anna Murray. Anna Murray sold a poster bed to buy sailor's papers needed for Frederick Douglass's escape. On September 3, 1838 Douglass boarded a train in Maryland on his way to freedom from slavery, dressed in a sailor's uniform and carrying identification papers provided by a free black seaman. Though he did not match the physical description in the papers, the conductor gave them only a casual glance. From Baltimore, Douglass made his way to Wilmington, Delaware, to Philadelphia, to New York and finally to New Bedford, Massachusetts. This was by no means one of the most creative escapes of a slave; Henry Box Brown mailed himself (as a parcel) from Virginia to Philadelphia in a journey taking 26 hours.

Related Topics:
1837 - East Baltimore Mental Improvement Society - September 3 - 1838 - Maryland - Slavery - Wilmington, Delaware - Philadelphia - New York - New Bedford, Massachusetts - Henry Box Brown

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