Frederick Douglass

A Book That Changed The World

Introduction and Thesis

Books are crucial to the history of America. They are passed down from generation to generation, which allows younger people to learn what happened in the past. Slavery was an awful horrid part of history and we need to make sure we don’t forget that. We need to ensure people are educated about the topic and don’t allow this to happen again. Many brave people talked about their life experience regarding slavery but this is what helped to end it. Douglass’ autobiography was so important because it showed the horror of slavery, how dehumanizing it was, but this is what individuals needed to read to understand the significant impact slavery had and why it needed to end.

About the Author

Frederick Douglass was born in Talbot County, Maryland. He was born in February 1818 and later celebrated his birthday on February 14, since he did not know the exact date he was born. He was born enslaved, and like many others separated from his mother at birth, and was cared for by his grandma who also raised other young enslaved children. Harriet Bailey, Frederick’s mother died when he was about seven years old. He recalls seeing her only a few times during his life, and he later learned she was the only Black person in Talbot County who could read. When Douglass was eight, he was taken to a different home, where the young child he was supposed to be taking care of would teach him how to read. However, these lessons ended after this was discovered. Hugh, his owner said literary would spoil a slave, and Hugh also said that “if a slave were given an inch, he would ‘take an ell [a unit of measure equal to about 45 inches]’” (Noelle Trent). In Maryland as well as many other states it was forbidden to teach the enslaved people how to read and write. However, Douglass continued to learn in secret.

When he was a teenager, he was sent to the Eastern Shore and experienced harsher conditions where he was also physically abused. Douglass and the farmer he was leased to actually engaged in a fight where Douglass won, so he was not attacked again by this leaser. He then got leased out again, where he was teaching other slaves around him to read and write. He also was plotting an escape, where he would take a canoe up the coast to Pennsylvania, but this plot was discovered so he was sent back to his second home where he was going to learn a trade. He learned to be a ship caulker, where he would pay his owner a set fee and the rest of the money was his but he was responsible for maintaining his food and clothing. During this time he became more involved in the black community and met Anna Murray, a freeborn Black woman, who he married.

Douglass eventually escaped his bondage in September 1838. He dressed as a sailor and traveled from Baltimore to Delaware then Philadelphia to New York City. He changed his name from Frederick Bailey to Frederick Johnson. Anna arrived in New York City, and the two were married. They then moved to Massachusetts for better job opportunity. Frederick changed his last name one more time, now to Douglass. After working on the ship, he then began to travel the country promoting abolition. He would describe his experiences to the audience, however he was different than other newly free enslaved people. He did not believe the enslaved should rise up against their owners in the same manner others did. Working as an agent helped him to support his family where he and his wife had 5 children.

About the Book

In 1845, Douglass published his first autobiography.

Many people questioned Frederick’s authenticity on this topic because he refused to use “plantation speak” and did not provide details about his origin. However, in his book he did discuss all the topics people questioned him on. Many narratives written by ex slaves were actually written by a ghostwriter since they could not do it themselves, however Frederick did this all by himself. During his narrative he did not leave out any gory details, he wanted the reader to see how truly horrific his experience was.

The Legacy

Douglass’ book not only talked about his horrific experience as being a slave, but he also discussed the hardships of escaping slavery. This book “is a grueling yet perfect reminder of the horror that once took place in our history” (Holly Renee), and also shapes as a reminder to not repeat these cruelties.

Douglass became known as the “Lion of Anacostia.” Douglass changed racial stereotypes in America through his writings, speeches, photos and made contributions to America by helping people gain freedom. He at one point let other slaves escaping stay with him. Douglass gave courage to many others, he showed how through hard work and dedication many others could overcome their prior challenges.

Douglass was so brave and courageous, he shared his story with thousands of people, and event today we still use his autobiography as a learning tool to teach the importance of the movement to end slavery. This book did not share any horrific details, “making Douglass’s narrative both worthwhile and of high importance to read then, now, and for future generations” (Holly Renee). This book is a must read to teach historical significance of this era.

Works Cited

Noelle Trent. “Frederick Douglass.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., www.britannica.com/biography/Frederick-Douglass.

Renee, Holly, et al. “The Importance Of Frederick Douglass.” The Odyssey. Online, 17 Oct. 2019, www.theodysseyonline.com/the-importance-of-frederick-douglass.