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This paper will explore the life of the influential activist Frederick Douglass. He is a
significant person in the history of african diaspora for many reasons. Douglass was an
abolitionist, reform journalist, civil rights activist, and held many other titles. Frederick
Augustus Washington Bailey was born in Easton,Maryland. His parents were Harriet
Bailey,a slave and an unknown slave owner. He was not allowed to see his mother and
spent most of his childhood years living with his grandparents.
Later on in life, Douglass relocated to Baltimore where he became a slave under the
control of Hugh and Sophia Auld. He spent seven years under their supervision. Frederick
Douglass later on taught himself how to read and write. It was illegal for slaves to know
how to read and write so he did it secretly. Douglass grew up listening to men publicly
speak about their rights which inspired him to become educated. He knew as a young man
that all lives were valuable. He was an advocate for education which prompted him to
create a secret school for slaves. Frederick Douglass was seen as defiant by his slave
masters. He tried to buy his freedom but he failed and eventually escaped from slavery.
When he escaped to New York, he married his long time friend Anna Murray. They moved
to Massachusetts and had five children. Frederick Douglass switched his last name to
Douglass in order to avoid slave catchers.
He soon showed a sign of interest in the anti slavery movement when he began to read the
