Frederick Douglass: Self-Made Man, Timothy Sandefur

Frederick Douglass was an African American abolitionist, orator, writer, statesman, and reformer. He was born into slavery in Maryland in 1818, and escaped to freedom in 1845. Douglass became a leading voice in the abolitionist movement, and his autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, was a powerful indictment of slavery. After the Civil War, Douglass continued to work for the rights of African Americans, and he served as a U.S. Marshal, Minister Resident and Consul General to Haiti, and Recorder of Deeds for the District of Columbia.

Douglass was a complex and controversial figure, but he was also a powerful advocate for justice and equality. He was a self-made man who rose from slavery to become one of the most influential figures in American history.

Frederick Douglass: Self-Made Man

by Timothy Sandefur

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	981 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	112 pages

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Early Life and Escape from Slavery

Frederick Douglass was born into slavery in Talbot County, Maryland, in 1818. His mother was a slave, and his father was a white man, possibly his master. Douglass never knew his father, and he was separated from his mother at a young age. He was raised by his grandmother, who taught him to read and write.

In 1845, Douglass escaped from slavery with the help of a free black woman named Anna Murray. He made his way to New York City, where he began working as a laborer. In 1847, he published his autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, which became a bestseller and helped to raise awareness of the horrors of slavery.

Abolitionist Movement

After the publication of his autobiography, Douglass became a leading voice in the abolitionist movement. He spoke out against slavery at rallies and conventions, and he wrote articles and essays on the subject. Douglass also helped to organize the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses that helped slaves escape to freedom.

In 1855, Douglass founded his own newspaper, The North Star, which he used to promote the abolitionist cause. The North Star was a powerful voice for the rights of African Americans, and it helped to build support for the abolitionist movement.

Civil War and Reconstruction

During the Civil War, Douglass supported the Union cause. He helped to recruit black soldiers for the Union Army, and he spoke out against slavery and racism. After the war, Douglass continued to work for the rights of African Americans. He served as a U.S. Marshal for the District of Columbia, and he helped to establish the Freedman's Bureau, an agency that provided aid to freed slaves.

In 1872, Douglass was elected to the U.S. Senate from New York. He was the first African American to serve in the Senate, and he used his position to advocate for the rights of African Americans. Douglass remained active in politics until his death in 1895.

Legacy

Frederick Douglass was a complex and controversial figure, but he was also a powerful advocate for justice and equality. He was a self-made man who rose from slavery to become one of the most influential figures in American history. Douglass's legacy continues to inspire people today who are fighting for the rights of all people.

Timothy Sandefur

Timothy Sandefur is a professor of history at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is the author of several books on the history of slavery and race in America, including The Conflict over Slavery: Slavery and the Politics of Racial Difference in Antebellum America (2006) and The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850: A Legal History (2012).

Sandefur's work on Frederick Douglass has been praised for its thoroughness and insight. In his book Frederick Douglass: Self-Made Man (2009),Sandefur argues that Douglass was a self-made man who overcame the obstacles of slavery to become a leading voice in the fight for racial equality.

Sandefur's work on Douglass has been influential in the field of history, and it has helped to shed new light on the life and legacy of one of America's most important figures.

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Further Reading

The Frederick Douglass National Historic Site

Frederick Douglass: Self-Made Man

by Timothy Sandefur

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	981 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	112 pages

FREE