Frederick Douglass Arrives

Born into slavery in Maryland in 1818, Frederick  Douglass endured the harsh life of the enslaved. However, for a brief time he served a family in Baltimore where he was taught to read. As he was moved on to other areas to work, he secretly continued to instruct himself in reading and writing. His constant desire to improve his life compelled him to escape from enslavement. While his first attempt failed, his second, occurring in 1838, was successful. He eventually settled in Massachusetts where he held several jobs including that of a preacher.

His time at the pulpit provide an experience which honed his oratory skills and by 1841 he was prepared to embark upon his life’s mission. Frederick Douglass, a formerly enslaved man turned abolitionist spoke at an anti-slavery convention in Nantucket on August 11, 1841 at the age of 23. Douglass referred to the moment as his “first speech,” as he described his experiences as a slave to an influential white audience. The next day Douglass was given the opportunity to address the group once more. His personal experiences as an enslaved man shook the audience. He described back breaking work, separation from family and the dehumanizing brutality inflicted upon the enslaved.

Douglass’ speech represented a turning point in the abolitionist movement, energizing activists and informing a sometimes purposely ignorant public to the evils of slavery.

Douglass would spend the next half century involved in writing, speaking, government service and other projects all with the objectives of improving the nation and her citizens of all races. On February 20, 1895, Douglass attended a meeting of the National Council of Women in Washington , D.C. When brought to the platform he was given a standing ovation. Soon after returning to his home, Douglass died from a heart attack. He was buried at the Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester, New York. He shares the appropriately named  Mount Hope as a final resting place with abolitionist and women’s rights activist, Susan B. Anthony.

Jon Taylor, Patriotic Instructor