# Frederick Douglass

## Biography

Frederick Douglass was born into slavery as Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey in Maryland around 1818. After experiencing the brutal realities of bondage and secretly learning to read, he successfully escaped to freedom in 1838, eventually settling in Massachusetts and adopting the surname Douglass. He swiftly became a prominent voice in the abolitionist movement, renowned for his powerful oratory and sharp intellect. In 1845, he published his first autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself, which became a bestseller and solidified his position as a leading anti-slavery advocate. Douglass continued to champion human rights throughout his life, publishing newspapers like The North Star and advocating for women's suffrage. He served in several government positions, including U.S. Marshal for the District of Columbia and Minister Resident and Consul General to Haiti, tirelessly working for equality until his death in 1895.

## Books

- [My Bondage and My Freedom](https://samolit.com/books/96121)
- [Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave](https://samolit.com/books/95793)