The narrative focuses on the conditions of
Douglass's slavery and escape; part of his journey to freedom was
on the 'underground railroad' . (©
C-Span American Writers)
Frederick Douglass was one of the foremost leaders of the abolitionist
movement, which fought to end slavery within the United States
in the decades prior to the Civil War.
A brilliant speaker, Douglass was asked by the American Anti-Slavery
Society to engage in a tour of lectures, and so became recognized
as one of America's first great black speakers. He won world fame
when his autobiography was publicized in 1845. Two years later
he bagan publishing an antislavery paper called the North Star.
Douglass served as an adviser to President Abraham Lincoln during
the Civil War and fought for the adoption of constitutional amendments
that guaranteed voting rights and other civil liberties for blacks.
Douglass provided a powerful voice for human rights during this
period of American history and is still revered today for his
contributions against racial injustice. More...
http://www.history.rochester.edu/class/douglass/home.html
(Sandra Thomas)
