Portrait of Frederick Douglass

Born a slave in Maryland in 1817, Frederick Douglass escaped to freedom to become one of the most influential figures of the 19th century. An abolitionist and orator, he was also a gifted writer, whose autobiography, published in 1845, is a classic of American literature. He edited successful abolitionist newspapers and lectured widely, including in Brooklyn. During the Civil War, Douglass helped recruit African-Americans for the Union army. He also served as U.S. Minister to Haiti from 1889-1891. Frederick Douglass died in 1895.

For more on Frederick Douglass, see Document 17.

Learn even more at "The Frederick Douglass Papers at the Library of Congress"
(http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/doughtml/).

 

 

Citation - Document 98
1879
Courtesy National Archives, no. 200-FL-22
www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/civilwar