Fredrick Douglas

Art by Ray Webster

Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) was an American abolitionist, civil rights leader, and social reformer. He escaped from slavery in Maryland in 1838 and became a leading spokesman for the abolitionist movement, using his own experiences to advocate for the end of slavery and the promotion of civil rights for African Americans.

Douglass was a gifted orator and writer, and he published several autobiographical works that helped to shape the public's understanding of slavery and its impact on individuals and communities. He also played a key role in advocating for the inclusion of African Americans in the Union army during the Civil War and later in the struggle for voting rights and equal treatment under the law during the Reconstruction era.

In addition to his work on behalf of African Americans, Douglass was an advocate for women's suffrage and other social causes. He remains an important figure in American history and a symbol of the power of individual determination and activism in the fight for social justice.