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Maria Cortez

Alvarez 3rd

Junior English

May 8th 2018

Frederick Douglass

An outstanding American author and a runaway slave is what he was. Some people may

describe him as inspiring, strong, and even brave. As a writer, an activist, and public speaker;

Frederick Douglass opened the eyes to many people. Showing the world how poorly slaves were

treated during the 1800s. Not only did he fight for slave rights but he also fight for basic human

rights.

Frederick Douglass fought for equality basically all his life. He was born in 1817 not

even himself was sure of the day exactly but he died in February 20, 1895. He was born into

slavery and later taken away from his mother as a child. Douglass lived with his grandmother

until the age of six where he was then forced to live and work for the Wye House Plantation.

Since slavery was around for a long time in his life this affected him a lot because it is probably

what inspired him to fight for equality. “Frederick Douglass endured 21 years of slavery before

he escaped to freedom in the North, where he became an outspoken and influential abolitionist”

(Littel 586).

One of the most popular literary pieces of Frederick that impacted American

Literature was ‘The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass’ which is an autobiography of

his experience as a slave. Describing how he managed to escape from that horrifying reality.

Douglass later then ended up working with our President at the time Abraham Lincoln and their

beliefs for African American rights. “I replied that there were three particulars which I wished to
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bring to his attention. First that colored soldiers ought to receive the same wages as those paid to

white soldiers. Second, that colored soldiers ought to receive the same protection when taken

prisoners as any other prisoner. Third, when colored soldiers performed great services they

should be rewarded.” (Douglass, Frederick Douglass and Lincoln).

Another literary piece he wrote was ‘My Bondage and My Freedom’. Published in 1855

that helped provide more information about his previous novel. This novel includes a letter to his

former master. “I had been treated as a pig on the plantation; I was treated as a child now”

(Douglass, 141). Douglass and his powerful novels and speeches help spurred the nation to move

against slavery.

Mr. Douglass didn’t always have good luck as it may seem. When he first started being a

public speaker people still didn’t give him support due to how blind they were. “Douglass spoke

so eloquently to the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society that they hired him to lecture about his

experiences. Proslavery hecklers frequently attacked him. Hurling insults and even rotten eggs

and vegetables, but Douglass continued, undeterred.” (Littel 586). That was the first speech that

got him noticed. He never stopped striving for greatness.

After his autobiography was published he rose to international fame. Frederick helped the

force of the anti-slavery movement, women rights, and minority groups. Douglass was a big

inspiration because he achieved justice for all Americans and their rights. I chose Frederick

Douglass because he accomplished so much even though he was self-taught and went against all

the rules. The world would have not been the better place it is today without his help. Thank you

Frederick Douglass.
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Works Cited

Douglass, Frederick. My Bondage and My Freedom. Massachusettes, 1855. Book.

Doc.south.unc.edu

Lenraman, Institute. Mr. Lincoln and Freedom. Washington, 2012. Article.

Mrlincolnandfreedom.org

Littel, Mccdougal. Literature. New York, 2008. Textbook.