FREDERICK DOUGLASS: A BIOGRAPHY by National Park Service

Context: Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) was born a slave but died an accomplished and respected individual. This short biography traces his life’s work and involvement in the abolition movement, which worked to end slavery. As you read, identify Douglass’s contributions to social change during his lifetime. What is our reading focus?

Context: Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) was born a slave but died an accomplished and respected individual. This short biography traces his life’s work and involvement in the abolition movement, which worked to end slavery. As you read, identify Douglass’s contributions to social change during his lifetime. In his journey from captive slave to internationally renowned activist, Frederick Douglass has been a source of inspiration and hope for millions. His brilliant words and brave actions continue to shape the ways in which we think about race, democracy, and the meaning of freedom. What information does the author provide readers about Frederick Douglass?

Context: Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) was born a slave but died an accomplished and respected individual. This short biography traces his life’s work and involvement in the abolition movement, which worked to end slavery. As you read, identify Douglass’s contributions to social change during his lifetime. Important Vocabulary: Plantation: From the 1700s to the mid-1800s, plantations were large estates that grew cash crops, like cotton and sugar, using slave labor. Body servant was a term for a slave who worked inside their owner’s household performing the duties of a maid. A slave-breaker was a person who would use violence and intimidation to control slaves who were considered “unruly.” SLAVERY AND ESCAPE According to the subheading "SLAVERY AND ESCAPE", this next section of the text will discuss?

Context: Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) was born a slave but died an accomplished and respected individual. This short biography traces his life’s work and involvement in the abolition movement, which worked to end slavery. As you read, identify Douglass’s contributions to social change during his lifetime. Important Vocabulary: Plantation: From the 1700s to the mid-1800s, plantations were large estates that grew cash crops, like cotton and sugar, using slave labor. Body servant was a term for a slave who worked inside their owner’s household performing the duties of a maid. A slave-breaker was a person who would use violence and intimidation to control slaves who were considered “unruly.” SLAVERY AND ESCAPE Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey was born into slavery on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in February 1818. He had a difficult family life. He barely knew his mother, who lived on a different plantation and died when he was a young child. He never discovered the identity of his father. When he turned eight years old, his slave owner hired him out to work as a body servant in Baltimore. At an early age, Frederick realized there was a connection between literacy and freedom. Not allowed to attend school, he taught himself to read and write in the streets of Baltimore. At twelve, he bought a book called The Columbian Orator. It was a collection of revolutionary speeches, debates, and writings on natural rights. When Frederick was fifteen, his slave owner sent him back to the Eastern Shore to labor as a field hand. Frederick rebelled intensely. He educated other slaves, physically fought back against a “slave-breaker,” and plotted an unsuccessful escape. How did Frederick Douglass become a slave?

Context: Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) was born a slave but died an accomplished and respected individual. This short biography traces his life’s work and involvement in the abolition movement, which worked to end slavery. As you read, identify Douglass’s contributions to social change during his lifetime. Important Vocabulary: Plantation: From the 1700s to the mid-1800s, plantations were large estates that grew cash crops, like cotton and sugar, using slave labor. Body servant was a term for a slave who worked inside their owner’s household performing the duties of a maid. A slave-breaker was a person who would use violence and intimidation to control slaves who were considered “unruly.” SLAVERY AND ESCAPE Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey was born into slavery on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in February 1818. He had a difficult family life. He barely knew his mother, who lived on a different plantation and died when he was a young child. He never discovered the identity of his father. When he turned eight years old, his slave owner hired him out to work as a body servant in Baltimore. At an early age, Frederick realized there was a connection between literacy and freedom. Not allowed to attend school, he taught himself to read and write in the streets of Baltimore. At twelve, he bought a book called The Columbian Orator. It was a collection of revolutionary speeches, debates, and writings on natural rights. When Frederick was fifteen, his slave owner sent him back to the Eastern Shore to labor as a field hand. Frederick rebelled intensely. He educated other slaves, physically fought back against a “slave-breaker,” and plotted an unsuccessful escape. Frederick Douglass had a very easy life.

Context: Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) was born a slave but died an accomplished and respected individual. This short biography traces his life’s work and involvement in the abolition movement, which worked to end slavery. As you read, identify Douglass’s contributions to social change during his lifetime. Important Vocabulary: Plantation: From the 1700s to the mid-1800s, plantations were large estates that grew cash crops, like cotton and sugar, using slave labor. Body servant was a term for a slave who worked inside their owner’s household performing the duties of a maid. A slave-breaker was a person who would use violence and intimidation to control slaves who were considered “unruly.” SLAVERY AND ESCAPE Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey was born into slavery on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in February 1818. He had a difficult family life. He barely knew his mother, who lived on a different plantation and died when he was a young child. He never discovered the identity of his father. When he turned eight years old, his slave owner hired him out to work as a body servant in Baltimore. At an early age, Frederick realized there was a connection between literacy and freedom. Not allowed to attend school, he taught himself to read and write in the streets of Baltimore. At twelve, he bought a book called The Columbian Orator. It was a collection of revolutionary speeches, debates, and writings on natural rights. When Frederick was fifteen, his slave owner sent him back to the Eastern Shore to labor as a field hand. Frederick rebelled intensely. He educated other slaves, physically fought back against a “slave-breaker,” and plotted an unsuccessful escape. While still young, what did Douglass realize?

Context: Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) was born a slave but died an accomplished and respected individual. This short biography traces his life’s work and involvement in the abolition movement, which worked to end slavery. As you read, identify Douglass’s contributions to social change during his lifetime. Important Vocabulary: Plantation: From the 1700s to the mid-1800s, plantations were large estates that grew cash crops, like cotton and sugar, using slave labor. Body servant was a term for a slave who worked inside their owner’s household performing the duties of a maid. A slave-breaker was a person who would use violence and intimidation to control slaves who were considered “unruly.” SLAVERY AND ESCAPE Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey was born into slavery on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in February 1818. He had a difficult family life. He barely knew his mother, who lived on a different plantation and died when he was a young child. He never discovered the identity of his father. When he turned eight years old, his slave owner hired him out to work as a body servant in Baltimore. At an early age, Frederick realized there was a connection between literacy and freedom. Not allowed to attend school, he taught himself to read and write in the streets of Baltimore. At twelve, he bought a book called The Columbian Orator. It was a collection of revolutionary speeches, debates, and writings on natural rights. When Frederick was fifteen, his slave owner sent him back to the Eastern Shore to labor as a field hand. Frederick rebelled intensely. He educated other slaves, physically fought back against a “slave-breaker,” and plotted an unsuccessful escape. Based on paragraph 3, how does the author characterize Douglass?

Context: Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) was born a slave but died an accomplished and respected individual. This short biography traces his life’s work and involvement in the abolition movement, which worked to end slavery. As you read, identify Douglass’s contributions to social change during his lifetime. Important Vocabulary: Plantation: From the 1700s to the mid-1800s, plantations were large estates that grew cash crops, like cotton and sugar, using slave labor. Body servant was a term for a slave who worked inside their owner’s household performing the duties of a maid. A slave-breaker was a person who would use violence and intimidation to control slaves who were considered “unruly.” SLAVERY AND ESCAPE Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey was born into slavery on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in February 1818. He had a difficult family life. He barely knew his mother, who lived on a different plantation and died when he was a young child. He never discovered the identity of his father. When he turned eight years old, his slave owner hired him out to work as a body servant in Baltimore. At an early age, Frederick realized there was a connection between literacy and freedom. Not allowed to attend school, he taught himself to read and write in the streets of Baltimore. At twelve, he bought a book called The Columbian Orator. It was a collection of revolutionary speeches, debates, and writings on natural rights. When Frederick was fifteen, his slave owner sent him back to the Eastern Shore to labor as a field hand. Frederick rebelled intensely. He educated other slaves, physically fought back against a “slave-breaker,” and plotted an unsuccessful escape. Which of the following supports the claim that Douglass became a defiant teen?

Context: Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) was born a slave but died an accomplished and respected individual. This short biography traces his life’s work and involvement in the abolition movement, which worked to end slavery. As you read, identify Douglass’s contributions to social change during his lifetime. Important Vocabulary: Plantation: From the 1700s to the mid-1800s, plantations were large estates that grew cash crops, like cotton and sugar, using slave labor. Body servant was a term for a slave who worked inside their owner’s household performing the duties of a maid. A slave-breaker was a person who would use violence and intimidation to control slaves who were considered “unruly.” SLAVERY AND ESCAPE Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey was born into slavery on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in February 1818. He had a difficult family life. He barely knew his mother, who lived on a different plantation and died when he was a young child. He never discovered the identity of his father. When he turned eight years old, his slave owner hired him out to work as a body servant in Baltimore. At an early age, Frederick realized there was a connection between literacy and freedom. Not allowed to attend school, he taught himself to read and write in the streets of Baltimore. At twelve, he bought a book called The Columbian Orator. It was a collection of revolutionary speeches, debates, and writings on natural rights. When Frederick was fifteen, his slave owner sent him back to the Eastern Shore to labor as a field hand. Frederick rebelled intensely. He educated other slaves, physically fought back against a “slave-breaker,” and plotted an unsuccessful escape. Frustrated, his slave owner returned him to Baltimore. This time, Frederick met a young free black woman named Anna Murray, who agreed to help him escape. On September 3, 1838, he disguised himself as a sailor and boarded a northbound train, using money from Anna to pay for his ticket. In less than 24 hours, Frederick arrived in New York City and declared himself free. Eventually, Douglass grew frustrated and gave up his attempts too escape.

Context: Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) was born a slave but died an accomplished and respected individual. This short biography traces his life’s work and involvement in the abolition movement, which worked to end slavery. As you read, identify Douglass’s contributions to social change during his lifetime. Important Vocabulary: Plantation: From the 1700s to the mid-1800s, plantations were large estates that grew cash crops, like cotton and sugar, using slave labor. Body servant was a term for a slave who worked inside their owner’s household performing the duties of a maid. A slave-breaker was a person who would use violence and intimidation to control slaves who were considered “unruly.” SLAVERY AND ESCAPE Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey was born into slavery on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in February 1818. He had a difficult family life. He barely knew his mother, who lived on a different plantation and died when he was a young child. He never discovered the identity of his father. When he turned eight years old, his slave owner hired him out to work as a body servant in Baltimore. At an early age, Frederick realized there was a connection between literacy and freedom. Not allowed to attend school, he taught himself to read and write in the streets of Baltimore. At twelve, he bought a book called The Columbian Orator. It was a collection of revolutionary speeches, debates, and writings on natural rights. When Frederick was fifteen, his slave owner sent him back to the Eastern Shore to labor as a field hand. Frederick rebelled intensely. He educated other slaves, physically fought back against a “slave-breaker,” and plotted an unsuccessful escape. Frustrated, his slave owner returned him to Baltimore. This time, Frederick met a young free black woman named Anna Murray, who agreed to help him escape. On September 3, 1838, he disguised himself as a sailor and boarded a northbound train, using money from Anna to pay for his ticket. In less than 24 hours, Frederick arrived in New York City and declared himself free. Which of the following is NOT an example of Douglass’ rebellious spirit?

Context: Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) was born a slave but died an accomplished and respected individual. This short biography traces his life’s work and involvement in the abolition movement, which worked to end slavery. As you read, identify Douglass’s contributions to social change during his lifetime. Important Vocabulary: fugitive: someone who has escaped from a place or is in hiding to avoid being arrested William Lloyd Garrison was an abolitionist and reformer who helped found the American Anti-Slavery Society. Gerrit Smith was a reformer who gave financial support to abolitionists. John Brown was an abolitionist who believed that using armed resistance was the best method to end. THE ABOLITIONIST MOVEMENT Frederick and Anna married and moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts, where they adopted the last name “Douglass.” They started their family, which would eventually grow to include five children: Rosetta, Lewis, Frederick, Charles, and Annie. After finding employment as a laborer, Douglass began to attend abolitionist meetings and speak about his experiences in slavery. He soon gained a reputation as an orator, landing a job as an agent for the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society. The job took him on speaking tours across the North and Midwest. Douglass’s fame as an orator increased as he traveled. Still, some of his audiences suspected he was not truly a fugitive slave. In 1845, he published his first autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, to lay those doubts to rest. The narrative gave a clear record of names and places from his enslavement. To avoid being captured and re-enslaved, Douglass traveled overseas. For almost two years, he gave speeches and sold copies of his narrative in England, Ireland, and Scotland. When abolitionists offered to purchase his freedom, Douglass accepted and returned home to the United States legally free. He relocated Anna and their children to Rochester, New York. In Rochester, Douglass took his work in new directions. He embraced the women’s rights movement, helped people on the Underground Railroad, and supported anti-slavery political parties. Once an ally of William Lloyd Garrison and his followers, Douglass started to work more closely with Gerrit Smith and John Brown. He bought a printing press and ran his own newspaper, The North Star. In 1855, he published his second autobiography, My Bondage and My Freedom, which expanded on his first autobiography and challenged racial segregation in the North. After Anna helped Douglass escape slavery, he...

Context: Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) was born a slave but died an accomplished and respected individual. This short biography traces his life’s work and involvement in the abolition movement, which worked to end slavery. As you read, identify Douglass’s contributions to social change during his lifetime. Important Vocabulary: fugitive: someone who has escaped from a place or is in hiding to avoid being arrested William Lloyd Garrison was an abolitionist and reformer who helped found the American Anti-Slavery Society. Gerrit Smith was a reformer who gave financial support to abolitionists. John Brown was an abolitionist who believed that using armed resistance was the best method to end. THE ABOLITIONIST MOVEMENT Frederick and Anna married and moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts, where they adopted the last name “Douglass.” They started their family, which would eventually grow to include five children: Rosetta, Lewis, Frederick, Charles, and Annie. After finding employment as a laborer, Douglass began to attend abolitionist meetings and speak about his experiences in slavery. He soon gained a reputation as an orator, landing a job as an agent for the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society. The job took him on speaking tours across the North and Midwest. Douglass’s fame as an orator increased as he traveled. Still, some of his audiences suspected he was not truly a fugitive slave. In 1845, he published his first autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, to lay those doubts to rest. The narrative gave a clear record of names and places from his enslavement. To avoid being captured and re-enslaved, Douglass traveled overseas. For almost two years, he gave speeches and sold copies of his narrative in England, Ireland, and Scotland. When abolitionists offered to purchase his freedom, Douglass accepted and returned home to the United States legally free. He relocated Anna and their children to Rochester, New York. In Rochester, Douglass took his work in new directions. He embraced the women’s rights movement, helped people on the Underground Railroad, and supported anti-slavery political parties. Once an ally of William Lloyd Garrison and his followers, Douglass started to work more closely with Gerrit Smith and John Brown. He bought a printing press and ran his own newspaper, The North Star. In 1855, he published his second autobiography, My Bondage and My Freedom, which expanded on his first autobiography and challenged racial segregation in the North. Using your context clues, what does "orator" mean?

Context: Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) was born a slave but died an accomplished and respected individual. This short biography traces his life’s work and involvement in the abolition movement, which worked to end slavery. As you read, identify Douglass’s contributions to social change during his lifetime. Important Vocabulary: fugitive: someone who has escaped from a place or is in hiding to avoid being arrested William Lloyd Garrison was an abolitionist and reformer who helped found the American Anti-Slavery Society. Gerrit Smith was a reformer who gave financial support to abolitionists. John Brown was an abolitionist who believed that using armed resistance was the best method to end. THE ABOLITIONIST MOVEMENT Frederick and Anna married and moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts, where they adopted the last name “Douglass.” They started their family, which would eventually grow to include five children: Rosetta, Lewis, Frederick, Charles, and Annie. After finding employment as a laborer, Douglass began to attend abolitionist meetings and speak about his experiences in slavery. He soon gained a reputation as an orator, landing a job as an agent for the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society. The job took him on speaking tours across the North and Midwest. Douglass’s fame as an orator increased as he traveled. Still, some of his audiences suspected he was not truly a fugitive slave. In 1845, he published his first autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, to lay those doubts to rest. The narrative gave a clear record of names and places from his enslavement. To avoid being captured and re-enslaved, Douglass traveled overseas. For almost two years, he gave speeches and sold copies of his narrative in England, Ireland, and Scotland. When abolitionists offered to purchase his freedom, Douglass accepted and returned home to the United States legally free. He relocated Anna and their children to Rochester, New York. In Rochester, Douglass took his work in new directions. He embraced the women’s rights movement, helped people on the Underground Railroad, and supported anti-slavery political parties. Once an ally of William Lloyd Garrison and his followers, Douglass started to work more closely with Gerrit Smith and John Brown. He bought a printing press and ran his own newspaper, The North Star. In 1855, he published his second autobiography, My Bondage and My Freedom, which expanded on his first autobiography and challenged racial segregation in the North. What context clues help readers determine that orator means public speaker?

Context: Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) was born a slave but died an accomplished and respected individual. This short biography traces his life’s work and involvement in the abolition movement, which worked to end slavery. As you read, identify Douglass’s contributions to social change during his lifetime. Important Vocabulary: fugitive: someone who has escaped from a place or is in hiding to avoid being arrested William Lloyd Garrison was an abolitionist and reformer who helped found the American Anti-Slavery Society. Gerrit Smith was a reformer who gave financial support to abolitionists. John Brown was an abolitionist who believed that using armed resistance was the best method to end. THE ABOLITIONIST MOVEMENT Frederick and Anna married and moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts, where they adopted the last name “Douglass.” They started their family, which would eventually grow to include five children: Rosetta, Lewis, Frederick, Charles, and Annie. After finding employment as a laborer, Douglass began to attend abolitionist meetings and speak about his experiences in slavery. He soon gained a reputation as an orator, landing a job as an agent for the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society. The job took him on speaking tours across the North and Midwest. Douglass’s fame as an orator increased as he traveled. Still, some of his audiences suspected he was not truly a fugitive slave. In 1845, he published his first autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, to lay those doubts to rest. The narrative gave a clear record of names and places from his enslavement. To avoid being captured and re-enslaved, Douglass traveled overseas. For almost two years, he gave speeches and sold copies of his narrative in England, Ireland, and Scotland. When abolitionists offered to purchase his freedom, Douglass accepted and returned home to the United States legally free. He relocated Anna and their children to Rochester, New York. In Rochester, Douglass took his work in new directions. He embraced the women’s rights movement, helped people on the Underground Railroad, and supported anti-slavery political parties. Once an ally of William Lloyd Garrison and his followers, Douglass started to work more closely with Gerrit Smith and John Brown. He bought a printing press and ran his own newspaper, The North Star. In 1855, he published his second autobiography, My Bondage and My Freedom, which expanded on his first autobiography and challenged racial segregation in the North. Because Douglass's audience did not believe he was a fugitive slave, Douglass...

Context: Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) was born a slave but died an accomplished and respected individual. This short biography traces his life’s work and involvement in the abolition movement, which worked to end slavery. As you read, identify Douglass’s contributions to social change during his lifetime. Important Vocabulary: fugitive: someone who has escaped from a place or is in hiding to avoid being arrested William Lloyd Garrison was an abolitionist and reformer who helped found the American Anti-Slavery Society. Gerrit Smith was a reformer who gave financial support to abolitionists. John Brown was an abolitionist who believed that using armed resistance was the best method to end. THE ABOLITIONIST MOVEMENT Frederick and Anna married and moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts, where they adopted the last name “Douglass.” They started their family, which would eventually grow to include five children: Rosetta, Lewis, Frederick, Charles, and Annie. After finding employment as a laborer, Douglass began to attend abolitionist meetings and speak about his experiences in slavery. He soon gained a reputation as an orator, landing a job as an agent for the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society. The job took him on speaking tours across the North and Midwest. Douglass’s fame as an orator increased as he traveled. Still, some of his audiences suspected he was not truly a fugitive slave. In 1845, he published his first autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, to lay those doubts to rest. The narrative gave a clear record of names and places from his enslavement. To avoid being captured and re-enslaved, Douglass traveled overseas. For almost two years, he gave speeches and sold copies of his narrative in England, Ireland, and Scotland. When abolitionists offered to purchase his freedom, Douglass accepted and returned home to the United States legally free. He relocated Anna and their children to Rochester, New York. In Rochester, Douglass took his work in new directions. He embraced the women’s rights movement, helped people on the Underground Railroad, and supported anti-slavery political parties. Once an ally of William Lloyd Garrison and his followers, Douglass started to work more closely with Gerrit Smith and John Brown. He bought a printing press and ran his own newspaper, The North Star. In 1855, he published his second autobiography, My Bondage and My Freedom, which expanded on his first autobiography and challenged racial segregation in the North. Why was Douglass trying to avoid being re-enslaved?