A Biography of Frederick Douglass

Black History Notables: Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglas was a famous abolitionist who fought to end slavery. He was one of the most famous black men in American during the time of the Civil war as he fought to improve the conditions of black people and for women's rights.

Born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey in Talbot County Maryland, as a slave in February 1818, he was taken from his mother soon after his birth. It is suspected that his father was a white man, and possibly his owner. Aaron Anthony, his slave owner kept him at the plantation where he was overseer until his death when he was given to Mrs. Lucretia Auld who went him to serve her brother in-law Hugh Auld. He was still a child at the time. His new owner's wife illegally taught part of the alphabet at the age of twelve. He pieced together the remainder of his education by learning from local white children and watching men write. His master objected to his learning because he felt that education would make him unhappy with his condition as a slave.

Douglas was later hired out to Mr. Freeman and taught slaves read at a Sabbath school on the plantation. His classes grew to the point that forty slaves a week wee attending the classes. While Mr. Freeman did not mind, other plantation owners ended the Sunday school classes with threats of stoning. Douglas was then taken back from by his original owner and sent to Edward Covey a "slave breaker" who beat him regularly. At the age of 16, Frederick Douglas fought back and Covey never tried to beat him again. After several attempts at escape, Douglas finally won his freedom when he boarded a train to Maryland dresses in a Sailors uniform with fake id papers. He continued by train and steamboat to New York. He was officially free when British sympathizers paid off his owners. He was 28 years old.