Frederick Douglass (1818-1895), was one of the foremost leaders of the abolitionist movement in America. He was a brilliant speaker and also famous for his autobiographical works.

Born a slave, Douglass educated himself, escaped, and made himself one of the greatest leaders in American history. His brilliant anti-slavery speeches were so fiercely intelligent, and so startlingly eloquent, that many people didn't believe he had been a slave. To prove them wrong, Douglass decided to write his own story. His autobiographical narratives stunned the world, and have shocked, moved, and inspired readers ever since.

Douglass wrote three autobiographies, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass" (1845), My Bondage and My Freedom (1855) and Life and Times of Frederick Douglass (1881), in addition to many articles and speeches. In 1847, he started publishing an anti-slavery paper called The North Star.He undertook lecture tours to England and played an important role in American politics. As well as being a staunch abolitionist, Douglass was also a champion of women's rights.

He held the post of American Consul General to Haiti from 1889 to 1891. Frederick Douglass died on February 20, 1895 in Washington, D.C.

You can find a collection of his speeches at the end of our version of My Bondage and My Freedom.