“Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.” -Frederick Douglass
Point #1
While many aren’t sure of his exact date of birth, historians have stated he was born around 1818 in Talbort County, Maryland. He chose to celebrate his birthdate as February 14th. His mother died when he was around 10 years of age. His birth name was Born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey.
Point #2
Escaped slavery around 20 years of age and went on to become a world-renowned anti-slavery activist. He made a career of agitating the American conscience. He spoke and wrote on behalf of a variety of reform causes: women’s rights, temperance, peace, land reform, free public education, and the abolition of capital punishment. But he devoted the bulk of his time, immense talent, and boundless energy to ending slavery and gaining equal rights for African Americans.
Point #3
A prolific writer, writing 3 autobiographies of his life as a slave as well as edited an influential black newspaper and achieved international fame as an orator and writer of great persuasive power. Started his own newspaper, the North Star (later Frederick Douglass’s Paper), which he published from 1847 to 1860 in Rochester, New York.
Point #4
Became the first black citizen to hold high rank in the U.S. government. During the Civil War (1861–65) Douglass became a consultant to Pres. Abraham Lincoln. After Reconstruction, Douglass served as assistant secretary of the Santo Domingo Commission (1871), and in the District of Columbia, he was marshal (1877–81) and recorder of deeds (1881–86). Finally, he was appointed U.S. minister and consul general to Haiti (1889–91).
Point #5
He died on February 20, 1895.
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