Douglass was the only African American to attend the First Women’s Rights Convention held in Seneca Falls, New York, in 1848. His autobiographies remain some of the most important and widely read accounts of slavery today.ĥ. While abroad, he went on a speaking tour and his British supporters were so moved, they collected funds to purchase his freedom in 1846. His first autobiography, “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave,” was so popular after it was published in 1845, he feared the publicity could lead to his capture, and he chose to live in Ireland and Britain for two years. Douglass became a free man thanks to help from European allies. After he successfully escaped slavery in 1838, he and his wife adopted the name Douglass from a narrative poem by Sir Walter Scott, “ The Lady of the Lake,” at the suggestion of a friend.Ĥ. Douglass was born with the name Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey. Frederick Douglass chose his name from a poem. He intentionally did not smile for the camera, in part because he wanted to counter “happy slave” caricatures that were common at the time, particularly at places such as minstrel shows where white actors performed racist skits in blackface.ģ. Douglass intentionally sought out the cameras, believing that photography was an important tool for achieving civil rights because it offered a way to portray African Americans fairly and accurately. Douglass was the most photographed American of the 19th century, sitting for more portraits than even Abraham Lincoln. camera icon The New York Historical SocietyĢ.
Although Douglass was born into slavery and his actual birth date is unknown, he chose to commemorate his birthday on February 14.įrederick Douglass, circa 1866. Woodson founded the precursor to Black History Month, “Negro History Week,” to coincide with the time of year when both Douglass and Abraham Lincoln celebrated their birthdays. One of the reasons we celebrate Black History Month in February is because of Frederick Douglass. Here are a few things that might surprise you about this pioneering historic figure as the National Park Service prepares to celebrate the bicentennial of his birth at the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Washington, D.C., February 17-18, 2018.ġ. And yet there is even more to know about Frederick Douglass’ remarkable story than the facts we learn in school. He published three autobiographies, spent years writing and editing an influential abolitionist newspaper, broke barriers for African Americans in government service, served as an international spokesman and statesman, and helped combat racial prejudice during the Reconstruction Era.
He escaped slavery at age 20 and went on to become one of the most important political activists fighting for emancipation and the equality of all people.
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