The Inspiring Life of Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass was born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey. Douglass, was born to slavery in Talbot County, Maryland near Hillsborough, twelve miles from Easton. The exact circumstances of his birth were unknown but it was believed that he was the son of a slave Harriet Bailey and her master, Captain Aaron Anthony.

Being a former slave (he gained his freedom when Anne Murray bought a free black sailor's papers needed for his escape), Frederick Douglass had a ringside view on the politics of slavery. His first-hand experience as a slave later provided a compelling argument that aided in protests against slavery. It made Frederick Douglass` autobiographical narrative Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, which was published in 1845, not only a participant in the genre of slave narrative literature but also in the genre of protest writing and/or political rhetoric. This is so because in this book, Douglass not only presented clearly the events of his life and tackled slavery issues in great detail but also presented a compelling argument against slavery.

Critics branded the book as a false account. They could not believe that a black man could produce such a masterpiece. The book became a bestseller and was acclaimed by positive critical reviews. Within three years, it was reprinted nine times in the United States and translated into the French and Dutch languages.

Douglass' developed highly sense of justice made him one of the recognized primary leaders of the abolitionist movement. The chief aim of this movement was to end slavery within the United States in the decades before the Civil War. In consonance with these pursuits, Douglass joined the American Anti-Slavery Society's Hundred Conventions project in 1843. This was a six month tour-meeting throughout the east and middle west of the United States. He joined the Seneca Falls Convention, and was a signatory of its Declaration of Sentiments.

Being an exceptional speaker, Douglass was asked by the American Anti-Slavery Society to give a tour of lectures. He was known as one of America's first great black speakers. Two years later he published an antislavery paper called the North Star. His compelling protest writings were translated into actions through his affiliations in various anti-slavery protests. He also later published a series of newspapers: "The North Star", "Frederick Douglass Weekly", "Frederick Douglass' Paper", "Douglass' Monthly" and "New National Era".

Douglass became an adviser to President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War. He directed his efforts in introducing necessary constitutional amendments that could guarantee voting rights and other civil liberties for blacks. Douglass discussed with President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 his proposals on the treatment of black soldiers. With President Andrew Johnson he forwarded his proposals on black suffrage. Douglass works particularly his autobiographical narrative helped provide a powerful voice for human rights during this period of American history. Its contribution to the protest writing and/or political rhetoric went beyond the literary world. It became a platform which paved the way for the eventual abolition of slavery.