frederick douglass a biography quiz

Biography - Frederick Douglass

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FREDERICK DOUGLASS: A BIOGRAPHY by National Park Service

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• Q 1 / 24 Score 0 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? 29 recognize Frederick Douglass's character change list Frederick Douglass's philanthropy during his lifetime identify what Frederick Douglass did to create artistic change name how Frederick Douglass added to social change

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• Q 1 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? recognize Frederick Douglass's character change list Frederick Douglass's philanthropy during his lifetime identify what Frederick Douglass did to create artistic change name how Frederick Douglass added to social change 300 s
• Q 2 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? He was a social advocate. He was a slave. He was articulate. all of these 300 s
• Q 3 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? Douglass's life as a slave and how he became free Dougrant's life as a slave Dougrant's life as a slave and how he became free Douglass's life as a slaveowner and how he freed them 300 s
• Q 4 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? He fell into a trap and was taken and made a slave. He was bought by a slave owner. None of these He was born into slavery. 300 s
• Q 5 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. -- True -- False 300 s
• Q 6 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? He realized the key to freedom was to plot an unsuccessful escape. He realized that the key to freedom was to work for his slave owner. He realized that he would never achieve freedom. He realized that the key to freedom was through knowledge. 300 s
• Q 7 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? intelligent and defiant intelligent and heavy ignorant and compliant ignorant and subservient 300 s
• Q 8 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? all of these "plotted an unsuccessful escape" "Not allowed to attend school, he taught himself to read and write" "physically fought back against a “slave-breaker" 300 s
• Q 9 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. -- True -- False 300 s
• Q 10 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? He physically resisted, or fought, someone sent to control him. He successfully escaped from slavery by traveling north. He returned to Baltimore after failing to escape. He taught other slaves to read, even though it was forbidden. 300 s
• Q 11 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... served her. never saw her again. thanked her. married her. 300 s
• Q 12 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? a skillful public speaker an abolitionist a recruiter a laborer 300 s
• Q 13 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? "The job took him on speaking tours " all of these "landing a job as an agent for the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society" "Douglass began to attend abolitionist meetings and speak about his experiences" 300 s
• Q 14 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... scheduled a public Q&A (Questions and Answers conference) to address the skepticism none of these published an autobiography published two autobiographies 300 s
• Q 15 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? all of these Because his autobiography named people involved in his enslavement Because he led a press conference, which his former slave owner saw that motivated him to find Douglass. Because his biography named people involved in his enslavement 300 s

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The Life of Frederick Douglass Quiz

This quiz surveys the life and work of the african-american abolitionist and civil rights leader frederick douglass..

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Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

By frederick douglass, narrative of the life of frederick douglass quiz 1.

• 1 What year was the autobiography written? 1865 1895 1855 1845
• 2 What year was Douglass most likely born? 1820 1860 1818 1845
• 3 William Lloyd Garrison was a prominent Lawyer Abolitionist Theologian Businessman
• 4 Wendell Phillips was a prominent Businessman Theologian Abolitionist Lawyer
• 5 Douglass was born in which state? Maryland Alabama South Carolina Virginia
• 6 Which of the following statements is FALSE? Douglass suspected his father was his master Douglass never met his mother Douglass's mother was named Harriet Bailey Douglass did not know his birthday
• 7 How did Douglass feel when his mother died? He did not know she died He was ambivalent He was angry He was incredibly depressed
• 8 Douglass's first master was Captain Anthony Hugh Auld Thomas Auld Edward Covey
• 9 Which of the following statements is FALSE? Captain Anthony was not a very humane slaveholder Captain Anthony was merciful to his slaves Captain Anthony was moderately wealthy Captain Anthony viciously beat Aunt Hester
• 10 All of the following statements are true EXCEPT The slaves called Lloyd's plantation Great House Farm Anthony was the clerk and superintendent for Lloyd Colonel Lloyd had 300-400 slaves Colonel Lloyd was a moderately wealthy slaveowner
• 11 Douglass writes that slaves did not have much time for Labor Food Sleep Relationships
• 12 The most blasphemous of Lloyd's overseers was Mr. Gore Mr. Hopkins Mr. Plummer Mr. Severe
• 13 Slaves who were sent on an errand to Great House Farm Refused to go Did not care very much if they had to go or not Were excited and boastful of the opportunity Dreaded going
• 14 "The same traits of character might be seen in Colonel Lloyd's slaves, as are seen in the slaves of the______" African kingdoms Political parties Political ideologies Religious faiths
• 15 Douglass described slave songs as all of the following EXCEPT Able to conjure up the horrible character of slavery more than books could Simple and meaningless Wild and haunting Indicative of slaves' misery and mourning
• 16 The slaves of Colonel Lloyd's plantation could not resist entering The garden The kitchen The parlor The library
• 17 The father and son slaves who tended Lloyd's stables were Old and Young Sandy Isaac Barney John
• 18 Why do slaves speak positively about their masters? They are naturally prone to lying They are afraid the person they are speaking will report them if they say something negative They truly love their masters Their masters force them to do so
• 19 Which overseer succeeded Mr. Hopkins? Mr. Gore Mr. Severe Mr. Plummer Mr. Covey
• 20 All of the following describe Austin Gore EXCEPT He killed Demby He was loud and boisterous He was savage and brutal He was grave and humorless
• 21 If a white man killed a slave, The slave's family had the right to sue Nothing happened They were immediately brought to justice They often turned themselves in
• 22 Who was Beal Bondly? A free black A slave on the Great House Farm Colonel Lloyd's neighbor Captain Anthony's son-in-law
• 23 All of the following were Douglass's duties on Lloyd's farm EXCEPT To run errands for Lucretia Auld To tend the garden To keep the front yard clean To drive the cows up at evening
• 24 Douglass's main deprivation on the farm was Good health Clothing Food Sleep
• 25 What city was Douglass sent to live in? Atlanta New York Baltimore Charleston

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

In paragraph 3, Mr. Auld says that if you give a slave "an inch, he will take an ell." What does he mean by this statement?

In context, he is saying that if you make a concession, you will be taken advantage of. This saying or quote first appeared in 1546 in a collection by John Heywood,

What event did Douglass indicate "made him a man"?

Although those are not the words he used, Douglass sae his employment in New Bedford... the day he began working for himself and his wife, the day that he truly became a man.

I found employment, the third day after my arrival, in stowing a sloop...

Why is freedom tormenting Douglass?

Douglass sees freedom everywhere and roused his "soul to eternal wakefulness". He still, however, remained enslaved.  

Study Guide for Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave: Written by Himself study guide contains a biography of Frederick Douglass, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
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Essays for Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave: Written by Himself essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave: Written by Himself.

• Embracing the In-between: The Double Mental Life of Frederick Douglass
• An Analysis of the Different Forms of Freedom and Bondage Presented in the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave
• Humanization of a Murdered Girl in Douglass's Narrative
• The Political Station in Douglass’s “Narrative of the Life” and Emerson’s “Self-Reliance”
• Bound by Knowledge: Writing, Knowledge, and Freedom in Ishmael Reed's Flight to Canada and Frederick Douglass's The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

Lesson Plan for Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

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E-Text of Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave: Written by Himself e-text contains the full text of Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.

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Early life and enslavement

Escape from slavery, life in new bedford, and work with the american anti-slavery society, narrative of the life of frederick douglass , european travel, and the north star, involvement with john brown, abraham lincoln, elizabeth cady stanton, and susan b. anthony, move to washington, d.c., the freedman’s bank, government office-holding, and later years.

What was Frederick Douglass’s childhood like?

How did frederick douglass become involved in the abolitionist movement, how was frederick douglass involved in the american civil war and reconstruction, what are some of frederick douglass’s most famous writings and speeches.

Frederick Douglass

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• Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy - Biography of Frederick Douglass
• Free Speech Center - Frederick Douglass
• American Battlefield Trust - Frederick Douglass
• National Park Service - Frederick Douglass National Historic Site - Biography of Frederick Douglass
• Library of Congress - Frederick Douglass Timeline
• Social Studies for Kids - Biography of Frederick Douglass
• PBS LearningMedia - The Abolitionists: The Emancipation Proclamation and the Civil War
• NPR - Frederick Douglass On How Slave Owners Used Food As A Weapon Of Control
• HistoryNet - Frederick Douglass
• Humanities Libretexts - Frederick Douglass (1818–1895)
• United States History - Biography of Frederick Douglass
• Frederick Douglass - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
• Frederick Douglass - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
• Table Of Contents

Frederick Douglass was born in slavery to a Black mother and a white father. At age eight the man who owned him sent him to Baltimore, Maryland, to live in the household of Hugh Auld. There Auld’s wife taught Douglass to read. Douglass attempted to escape slavery at age 15 but was discovered before he could do so.

Frederick Douglass escaped from slavery to New York City in 1838, later settling in New Bedford, Massachusetts. At an 1841 antislavery convention, he was asked to recount his experience as an enslaved person. He so moved his audience that he became an agent for the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society. His 1845 autobiography cemented his prominence as an abolitionist .

During the American Civil War Frederick Douglass served as an adviser to Pres. Abraham Lincoln . Douglass played a crucial role in persuading Lincoln to arm enslaved people and prioritize abolition. During Reconstruction Douglass became the highest-ranking Black official of his time and advocated for full civil rights for Black people as well as for women.

Frederick Douglass published three autobiographies. The first autobiography, The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, Written by Himself , catapulted him to fame and invigorated the abolitionist movement. Of Douglass’s many speeches, “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” was perhaps one of the most well-known.

What was Frederick Douglass’s legacy?

Frederick Douglass was a prolific writer and a masterful orator who captivated readers and listeners throughout the U.S. and Great Britain. His talents contributed to the rise of antislavery sentiments in public consciousness.

Frederick Douglass (born February 1818, Talbot county, Maryland , U.S.—died February 20, 1895, Washington, D.C.) was an African American abolitionist, orator, newspaper publisher, and author who is famous for his first autobiography , Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself . He became the first Black U.S. marshal and was the most photographed American man of the 19th century.

Douglass was born enslaved as Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey on Holme Hill Farm in Talbot county, Maryland. Although the date of his birth was not recorded, Douglass estimated that he had been born in February 1818, and he later celebrated his birthday on February 14. (The best source for the events in Douglass’s life is Douglass himself in his oratory and writings, especially his three autobiographies, the details of which have been checked when possible and have largely been confirmed, though his biographers have contributed corrections and clarifications.) Douglass was owned by Capt. Aaron Anthony, who was the clerk and superintendent of overseers for Edward Lloyd V (also known as Colonel Lloyd), a wealthy landowner and slaveholder in eastern Maryland. Like many other enslaved children, Douglass was separated from his mother, Harriet Bailey, when he was very young. He spent his formative years with his maternal grandmother, Betsey Bailey, who had the responsibility of raising young enslaved children.

Harriet Bailey worked as a field hand on a neighbouring plantation and had to walk more than 12 miles (about 19 km) to visit her son, whom she met with only a few times in his life. He described her as “tall and finely proportioned, of dark, glossy complexion, with regular features, and amongst the slaves was remarkably sedate and dignified.” She died when he was about seven years old. As an adult, Douglass learned that his mother had been the only Black person in what was then Talbot county who could read, an extraordinarily rare achievement for a field hand.

When Douglass was age five or six, he was taken to live on Colonel Lloyd’s home plantation, Wye House. Lloyd’s plantation functioned like a small town. Young Douglass found himself among several other enslaved children competing for food and other comforts. In 1826 at approximately age eight, he was sent to live with Hugh and Sophia Auld at Fells Point, Baltimore . Hugh’s brother Capt. Thomas Auld was the son-in-law of Douglass’s owner, Aaron Anthony. Douglass’s responsibility in Baltimore was to care for Hugh and Sophia’s young son, Thomas. Sophia began teaching Douglass how to read, along with her son. The lessons ended abruptly, however, when Hugh discovered what had been going on and informed Sophia that literacy would “spoil” a slave. According to Douglass, Hugh stated that if a slave were given an inch, he would “take an ell [a unit of measure equal to about 45 inches].” In Maryland, as in many other slaveholding states, it was forbidden to teach enslaved people how to read and write. Douglass continued his learning in secret, by exchanging bread for lessons from the poor white boys he played with in the neighbourhood and by tracing the letters in Thomas’s old schoolbooks.

In March 1832 Douglass was sent from Baltimore to St. Michaels, on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. After both Aaron Anthony and his daughter Lucretia died, her husband, Capt. Thomas Auld, became Douglass’s owner. Teenage Douglass experienced harsher living conditions with Auld, who was known for his abusive practices.

In January 1833 Douglass was leased to local farmer Edward Covey. Leasing or hiring out enslaved persons was a common revenue-generating practice. Farmers would pay slaveholders a monthly fee for enslaved people and take responsibility for their care, food, and lodging. Covey was known as a “slave breaker,” someone who abused slaves physically and psychologically in order to make them more compliant . According to Douglass, Covey’s abuse led to a climactic confrontation six months into Douglass’s time with the farmer. One day Covey attacked Douglass, and Douglass fought back. The two men engaged in an epic two-hour-long physical struggle. Douglass ultimately won the fight, and Covey never attacked him again. Douglass emerged from the incident determined to protect himself from any physical assault from anyone in the future.

In January 1834 Douglass was sent to William Freeland’s farm. Living and working conditions were better under Freeland; however, Douglass still desired his freedom. While living with Freeland, he started a Sabbath school at which he taught area Blacks how to read and write. Along with four other enslaved men, Douglass plotted to escape north by taking a large canoe up the coast of Maryland and to proceed to Pennsylvania, but their plot was discovered. Douglass and the other participants were arrested. Captain Auld then sent Douglass back to Baltimore to live again with Hugh and Sophia Auld and to learn a trade.

Hugh Auld hired out Douglass to local shipyards as a ship caulker. Now working as a skilled tradesman, Douglass was paid by the shipyards for his efforts. He would then submit his earnings to Auld, who gave Douglass a small percentage of the wages. Douglass would eventually hire out his own time, which meant that he paid Auld a set amount every week but was responsible for maintaining his own food and clothing. During this time, Douglass became more involved in Baltimore’s Black community , which led him to meet Anna Murray , a freeborn Black woman, whom he would eventually marry.

Douglass moved about Baltimore with few restrictions, but that privilege came to an end when he decided to attend a religious meeting outside of Baltimore on a Saturday evening and postpone paying Auld his weekly fee. The following Monday, when Douglass returned, Auld threatened him. After that encounter, Douglass was determined to escape his bondage. He escaped in September 1838 by dressing as a sailor and traveling from Baltimore to Wilmington , Delaware, by train, then on to Philadelphia by steamboat , and from there to New York City by train. Black sailors in the 19th century traveled with documents granting them protection under the American flag. Douglass used such documents to secure his passage north with the help of Anna, who, according to family lore , had sold her feather bed to help finance his passage.

New York City was a dangerous place for enslaved people seeking freedom. Numerous slave catchers traveled to the city to track down those who had escaped. Many locals, Black and white, were willing, for money, to tell the authorities about people trying to escape enslavement. For his own protection, Douglass (still months from assuming that name) changed his name from Frederick Bailey to Frederick Johnson. A chance meeting with Black abolitionist David Ruggles led Douglass to safety. Anna arrived in New York several days later, and the two were married by the Reverend J.W.C. Pennington.

At Ruggles’s recommendation, the couple quickly left New York City for New Bedford , Massachusetts. Ruggles had determined that New Bedford’s shipping industry would offer Douglass the best chance to find work as a ship caulker. In New Bedford the couple stayed with a local Black married couple, Nathan and Polly Johnson. Because many families in New Bedford had the surname Johnson, Douglass chose to change his name again. Nathan Johnson suggested the name Douglass, which was inspired by the name of an exiled nobleman in Sir Walter Scott ’s poem The Lady of the Lake . The newly minted Frederick Douglass earned money for the first time as a free man. However, despite Douglass’s previous work experience, racial prejudice in New Bedford prevented him from working as a ship caulker (white caulkers refused to work with Black caulkers). Consequently, Douglass spent his first years in Massachusetts working as a common labourer.

Douglass remained an avid reader throughout his adult life. When he escaped to New York, he carried with him a copy of The Columbian Orator . In New Bedford he discovered William Lloyd Garrison ’s abolitionist newspaper, The Liberator . Inspired by it, Douglass attended a Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society convention in Nantucket in the summer of 1841. At the meeting, abolitionist William C. Coffin, having heard Douglass speak in New Bedford, invited him to address the general body. Douglass’s extemporaneous speech was lauded by the audience, and he was recruited as an agent for the group.

As an agent of both the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society and the American Anti-Slavery Society , Douglass traveled the country promoting abolition and the organizations’ agenda. He and other persons who had escaped conditions of enslavement frequently described their own experiences under those conditions. The American Anti-Slavery Society supported “moral suasion” abolition, the belief that slavery was a moral wrong that should be resisted through nonviolent means. Douglass strongly promoted this philosophy during the early years of his abolitionist career. In his speech at the 1843 National Convention of Colored Citizens in Buffalo, New York, Black abolitionist and minister Henry Highland Garnet proposed a resolution that called for enslaved people to rise up against their masters. The controversial resolution ignited a tense debate at the convention, with Douglass rising in firm opposition. His belief in moral suasion would repeatedly place him at odds with other Black abolitionists during this phase of his career. Work as an agent provided Douglass with the means to support his family. He and Anna had five children: Rosetta (born 1839), Lewis (born 1840), Frederick, Jr. (born 1842), Charles (born 1844), and Annie (born 1849).

In 1845 Douglass published his first autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself . Prior to its publication, audiences at Douglass’s lectures had questioned his authenticity as an ex-slave because of his eloquence, refusal to use “plantation speak,” and unwillingness to provide details about his origins. The Narrative settled these disputes by naming people and locations in Douglass’s life. The book also challenged the conventional employment of ghostwriters for slave narratives by boldly acknowledging that Douglass wrote it himself. Douglass would publish two additional autobiographies: My Bondage and My Freedom (1855) and Life and Times of Frederick Douglass (1881). The Narrative quickly became popular, especially in Europe, but the book’s success contributed to Hugh Auld’s determination to return Douglass to the conditions of enslavement.

The threat of capture, as well as the book’s excellent performance in Europe, prompted Douglass to travel abroad from August 1845 to 1847, and he lectured throughout the United Kingdom. His English supporters, led by Ellen and Anna Richardson, purchased Douglass from Hugh Auld, giving him his freedom. In the spring of 1847, Douglass returned to the United States a free man with the funding to start his own newspaper.

Douglass moved to Rochester , New York, to publish his newspaper, The North Star , despite objections from Garrison and others. Basing the newspaper in Rochester ensured that The North Star did not compete with the distribution of The Liberator and the National Anti-Slavery Standard in New England . The North Star ’s first issue appeared on December 3, 1847. In 1851 the paper merged with the Liberty Party Paper to form Frederick Douglass’ Paper , which ran until 1860. Douglass would publish two additional newspapers during his life, Douglass’ Monthly (1859–63) and New National Era (1870–74).

The move to Rochester surrounded Douglass with political abolitionists such as Gerrit Smith . During his first few years in Rochester, Douglass remained loyal to Garrison’s philosophy, which promoted moral suasion, stated that the U.S. Constitution was an invalid document, and discouraged participation in American politics because it was a system corrupted by slavery. In 1851, however, Douglass announced his split from Garrison when he declared that the Constitution was a valid legal document that could be used on behalf of emancipation. Consequently, Douglass became more engaged in American politics and constitutional interpretation.

The country’s tension around slavery rapidly increased in the 1850s. Douglass’s Rochester home was part of the Underground Railroad and hosted numerous fellow abolitionists. In 1859 Douglass met with abolitionist John Brown in a quarry in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Brown invited Douglass to participate in the planned raid on the federal arsenal in Harpers Ferry , Virginia (now in West Virginia), which Brown hoped would inspire a massive uprising by enslaved people. Douglass declined the invitation. Shortly after the raid (October 16–19), Douglass received word that the authorities were looking to arrest him as an accomplice . He quickly fled to Canada before heading to Europe for a scheduled lecture tour. Douglass returned home in April 1860 after learning that his youngest daughter, Annie, had died.

With the outbreak of the Civil War , Douglass strongly advocated for inclusion of Black soldiers in the Union army. He became a recruiter for the Massachusetts 54th, an all-Black infantry regiment in which his sons Lewis and Charles served. In 1863 Douglass visited the White House to meet with Pres. Abraham Lincoln to advocate for better pay and conditions for the soldiers. Lincoln then invited Douglass to the White House in 1864 to discuss what could be done for Blacks in the case of a Union loss. Douglass would meet with Lincoln a third time, after the president’s second inauguration and about a month before his assassination.

The Emancipation Proclamation and the Union’s victory presented a new reality: millions of Black people were free. Douglass dedicated himself to securing the community’s rights to this new freedom. He strongly supported the Fourteenth Amendment , which granted Blacks citizenship, but he realized that this new citizenship status needed to be protected by suffrage. Initially Douglass supported a constitutional amendment supporting suffrage for all men and women. Having attended the 1848 women’s rights convention in Seneca Falls , New York, he was a longtime supporter of women’s rights, joining Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony in this stance. Reconstruction politics, however, indicated that a universal suffrage amendment would fail. Douglass then supported Black male suffrage with the idea that Black men could help women secure the right to vote later. This placed him at odds with Stanton and Anthony. Douglass hoped that the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment would encourage African Americans to stay in the South to consolidate their power as a voting bloc, but the region’s high levels of violence against African Americans led him to support Black migration to safer areas of the country.

After a fire destroyed his Rochester home, Douglass moved in 1872 to Washington, D.C. , where he published his latest newspaper venture, New National Era . The newspaper folded in 1874 because of its poor fiscal health. That same year Douglass was appointed president of the Freedman’s Savings & Trust, also known as the Freedman’s Bank. The bank failed four months after he became president because of the years of corruption that predated his association with the bank. The bank’s failure harmed his reputation, but Douglass worked with the U.S. Congress to remedy the damage caused by the bank.

After the Freedman’s Bank debacle , Douglass held numerous government appointments. He became the first Black U.S. marshal in 1877 when he was appointed to that post for the District of Columbia by Pres. Rutherford B. Hayes . He served in that capacity until 1881, when Pres. James A. Garfield appointed him to the high-paying position of recorder of deeds for the District of Columbia. In 1889 Pres. Benjamin Harrison selected Douglass as the U.S. minister resident and consul general to the Republic of Haiti . The major controversy during Douglass’s tenure was the quest by the United States to acquire the port town of Môle Saint-Nicolas as a refueling station for the U.S. Navy. Douglass disagreed with the Harrison administration’s approach, preferring to promote the autonomy of the Haitian government. He resigned the position in 1891 and returned to his home in Washington, D.C.

Douglass spent the last 17 years of his life at Cedar Hill, his home in the Anacostia neighbourhood of Washington, D.C., to which he had moved in 1878. On August 4, 1882, Anna Murray Douglass died in the home after suffering a stroke. In 1884 Douglass married Helen Pitts, his white secretary, who was about 20 years younger than her husband. The marriage was controversial for its time, and it resulted in Douglass’s temporary estrangement from some friends and family.

During the latter years of his life, Douglass remained committed to social justice and the African American community. His prominence and work resulted in his being the most photographed American man in the 19th century . His distinguished photographs were deliberate contradictions to the visual stereotypes of African Americans at the time, which often exaggerated their facial features, skin colour, and physical bodies and demeaned their intelligence. He served on Howard University ’s board of trustees from 1871 to 1895. Douglass cultivated relationships with younger activists, most notably Ida B. Wells , who featured his letter to her in her book Southern Horrors: Lynch Law in All Its Phases. He also contributed to her pamphlet protesting the exclusion of exhibits dedicated to African American culture from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition , The Reason Why the Colored American Is Not in the World’s Columbian Exposition .

Douglass died in his Cedar Hill home on February 20, 1895. After his death, Helen Pitts Douglass established the Frederick Douglass Memorial and Historical Association to preserve his legacy . She bequeathed the home and its belongings to the organization in her will. Cedar Hill became part of the National Park system in 1962, and it was designated the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in 1988. The U.S. Library of Congress digitized its holdings of Douglass’s papers , which include letters, speeches, and personal documents.

At the end of his life, Douglass, an American icon who fought for social justice and equity , became known as the “Lion of Anacostia.” Through his writings, speeches, and photographs, he boldly challenged the racial stereotypes of African Americans. Douglass’s contributions to the Black American community and American history were recognized in the early 20th century during Negro History Week, the predecessor of Black History Month , which many communities anchored to the day on which his birthday was celebrated, February 14. Today Douglass is renowned not just for his rise from slavery to the highest levels of American society but also for his dedication to challenging the country to recognize the rights of all people and be consistent with its ideals.

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8.4.2 Narrative Life of Frederick Dougla...

8.4.2 Narrative Life of Frederick Douglass

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Douglass was “making friends of all the little white boys” (paragraph 1) most likely because __________.

he did not want to be seen with any fellow slaves

he knew that they could read and he could not

he did not know what to do with his extra bread

he hoped that one of them could convince his owner to free him

Douglass does not reveal the names of the boys who taught him to read most likely because ___________.

he wishes that he never learned to read and would like to put it behind him

he had long forgotten who they were

he is still angry at them for having their freedom

it was illegal teach slaves to read and he does not want them to get in trouble

What does the following passage mainly reveal about the life of Frederick Douglass (paragraph 4)?

“As I read and contemplated the subject, behold! that very discontentment which Master Hugh had predicted would follow my learning to read had already come, to torment and sting my soul to unutterable anguish.”

Douglass’s owner had warned him that learning to read would cause him pain.

Douglass only learned how to read in order to find out how to free himself.

Douglass was threatened with whippings from his owner if he learned how to read.

Master Hugh sympathized with Douglass because he also did not know how to read.

Which is most closely a central idea of this excerpt?

No one felt sorry for the plight of slaves except for slaves themselves.

Reading cannot change how you feel about things.

The process of self-discovery can be a painful one.

Children should not be learning about adult subjects.

Which sentence from the text most strongly supports the correct answer to Question 5?

“As I writhed under it, I would at times feel that learning to read had been a curse rather than a blessing.”

“These words used to trouble them; they would express for me the liveliest sympathy, and console me with the hope that something would occur by which I might be free.”

“The moral which I gained from the dialogue was the power of truth over the conscience of even a slaveholder.”

“When I was sent of errands, I always took my book with me, and by going one part of my errand quickly, I found time to get a lesson before my return.”

Which of the following inferences is best supported by the text?

The boys who taught Mr. Douglass to read will be disappointed to see that he does not credit them by name.

Books gave Mr. Douglass the hope that he could one day obtain his freedom.

Mr. Douglass learned to read so that he could study a variety of topics.

Mr. Douglass only thought about freedom when he was reading a book.

Which statement from the text most strongly supports the correct answer to Question 7?

“It is enough to say of the dear little fellows, that they lived on Philpot Street, very near Durgin and Bailey’s ship-yard.”

“The plan which I adopted, and the one by which I was most successful, was that of making friends of all the little white boys whom I met in the street.”

“I was now about twelve years old, and the thought of being a slave for life began to bear heavily upon my heart.”

What is the definition of denunciation ?

a statement that publicly criticizes someone or something

a person who makes speeches and is very good at doing so

good judgment that helps a person avoid problems

at full strength

What is the definition of prudence ?

the act of being cleared of blame or accusation

What is the definition of unabated ?

What is the definition of vindication ?

The disappearance of thousands of votes brought a ________________ from her opponent.

denunciation

vindication

My ______________ made me study especially hard for the challenging test.

The party soon became loud, and the noise continued ____________ until after midnight.

The defendant told reporters that his _______________ by the jury was proof of his innocence.

Frederick Douglass uses formal diction

to let everyone know how smart he is.

to present his arguments for education and against slavery as eloquently as possible.

to make his writing seem more complicated.

to present his arguments for slavery clearly.

Which of these would be considered a secondary reference source about Frederick Douglass?

An Internet article written about him

An interview he conducted

His diary entries

letter he wrote to a friend

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Frederick Douglass

By: History.com Editors

Updated: March 8, 2024 | Original: October 27, 2009

Frederick Douglass was a formerly enslaved man who became a prominent activist, author and public speaker. He became a leader in the abolitionist movement , which sought to end the practice of slavery, before and during the Civil War . After that conflict and the Emancipation Proclamation of 1862, he continued to push for equality and human rights until his death in 1895.

Douglass’ 1845 autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave , described his time as an enslaved worker in Maryland . It was one of three autobiographies he penned, along with dozens of noteworthy speeches, despite receiving minimal formal education.

An advocate for women’s rights, and specifically the right of women to vote , Douglass’ legacy as an author and leader lives on. His work served as an inspiration to the civil rights movement of the 1960s and beyond.

Who Was Frederick Douglass?

Frederick Douglass was born into slavery in or around 1818 in Talbot County, Maryland. Douglass himself was never sure of his exact birth date.

His mother was an enslaved Black women and his father was white and of European descent. He was actually born Frederick Bailey (his mother’s name), and took the name Douglass only after he escaped. His full name at birth was “Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey.”

After he was separated from his mother as an infant, Douglass lived for a time with his maternal grandmother, Betty Bailey. However, at the age of six, he was moved away from her to live and work on the Wye House plantation in Maryland.

From there, Douglass was “given” to Lucretia Auld, whose husband, Thomas, sent him to work with his brother Hugh in Baltimore. Douglass credits Hugh’s wife Sophia with first teaching him the alphabet. With that foundation, Douglass then taught himself to read and write. By the time he was hired out to work under William Freeland, he was teaching other enslaved people to read using the Bible .

As word spread of his efforts to educate fellow enslaved people, Thomas Auld took him back and transferred him to Edward Covey, a farmer who was known for his brutal treatment of the enslaved people in his charge. Roughly 16 at this time, Douglass was regularly whipped by Covey.

Frederick Douglass Escapes from Slavery

After several failed attempts at escape, Douglass finally left Covey’s farm in 1838, first boarding a train to Havre de Grace, Maryland. From there he traveled through Delaware , another slave state, before arriving in New York and the safe house of abolitionist David Ruggles.

Once settled in New York, he sent for Anna Murray, a free Black woman from Baltimore he met while in captivity with the Aulds. She joined him, and the two were married in September 1838. They had five children together.

From Slavery to Abolitionist Leader

After their marriage, the young couple moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts , where they met Nathan and Mary Johnson, a married couple who were born “free persons of color.” It was the Johnsons who inspired the couple to take the surname Douglass, after the character in the Sir Walter Scott poem, “The Lady of the Lake.”

In New Bedford, Douglass began attending meetings of the abolitionist movement . During these meetings, he was exposed to the writings of abolitionist and journalist William Lloyd Garrison.

The two men eventually met when both were asked to speak at an abolitionist meeting, during which Douglass shared his story of slavery and escape. It was Garrison who encouraged Douglass to become a speaker and leader in the abolitionist movement.

By 1843, Douglass had become part of the American Anti-Slavery Society’s “Hundred Conventions” project, a six-month tour through the United States. Douglass was physically assaulted several times during the tour by those opposed to the abolitionist movement.

In one particularly brutal attack, in Pendleton, Indiana , Douglass’ hand was broken. The injuries never fully healed, and he never regained full use of his hand.

In 1858, radical abolitionist John Brown stayed with Frederick Douglass in Rochester, New York, as he planned his raid on the U.S. military arsenal at Harper’s Ferry , part of his attempt to establish a stronghold of formerly enslaved people in the mountains of Maryland and Virginia. Brown was caught and hanged for masterminding the attack, offering the following prophetic words as his final statement: “I, John Brown, am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away but with blood.”

'Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass'

Two years later, Douglass published the first and most famous of his autobiographies, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave . (He also authored My Bondage and My Freedom and Life and Times of Frederick Douglass).

In it Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass , he wrote: “From my earliest recollection, I date the entertainment of a deep conviction that slavery would not always be able to hold me within its foul embrace; and in the darkest hours of my career in slavery, this living word of faith and spirit of hope departed not from me, but remained like ministering angels to cheer me through the gloom.”

He also noted, “Thus is slavery the enemy of both the slave and the slaveholder.”

Frederick Douglass in Ireland and Great Britain

Later that same year, Douglass would travel to Ireland and Great Britain. At the time, the former country was just entering the early stages of the Irish Potato Famine , or the Great Hunger.

While overseas, he was impressed by the relative freedom he had as a man of color, compared to what he had experienced in the United States. During his time in Ireland, he met the Irish nationalist Daniel O’Connell , who became an inspiration for his later work.

In England, Douglass also delivered what would later be viewed as one of his most famous speeches, the so-called “London Reception Speech.”

In the speech, he said, “What is to be thought of a nation boasting of its liberty, boasting of its humanity, boasting of its Christianity , boasting of its love of justice and purity, and yet having within its own borders three millions of persons denied by law the right of marriage?… I need not lift up the veil by giving you any experience of my own. Every one that can put two ideas together, must see the most fearful results from such a state of things…”

Frederick Douglass’ Abolitionist Paper

When he returned to the United States in 1847, Douglass began publishing his own abolitionist newsletter, the North Star . He also became involved in the movement for women’s rights .

He was the only African American to attend the Seneca Falls Convention , a gathering of women’s rights activists in New York, in 1848.

He spoke forcefully during the meeting and said, “In this denial of the right to participate in government, not merely the degradation of woman and the perpetuation of a great injustice happens, but the maiming and repudiation of one-half of the moral and intellectual power of the government of the world.”

He later included coverage of women’s rights issues in the pages of the North Star . The newsletter’s name was changed to Frederick Douglass’ Paper in 1851, and was published until 1860, just before the start of the Civil War .

Frederick Douglass Quotes

In 1852, he delivered another of his more famous speeches, one that later came to be called “What to a slave is the 4th of July?”

In one section of the speech, Douglass noted, “What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciations of tyrants, brass fronted impudence; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade, and solemnity, are, to him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy—a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages.”

For the 24th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation , in 1886, Douglass delivered a rousing address in Washington, D.C., during which he said, “where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.”

Frederick Douglass During the Civil War

During the brutal conflict that divided the still-young United States, Douglass continued to speak and worked tirelessly for the end of slavery and the right of newly freed Black Americans to vote.

Although he supported President Abraham Lincoln in the early years of the Civil War, Douglass fell into disagreement with the politician after the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, which effectively ended the practice of slavery. Douglass was disappointed that Lincoln didn’t use the proclamation to grant formerly enslaved people the right to vote, particularly after they had fought bravely alongside soldiers for the Union army.

It is said, though, that Douglass and Lincoln later reconciled and, following Lincoln’s assassination in 1865, and the passage of the 13th amendment , 14th amendment , and 15th amendment to the U.S. Constitution (which, respectively, outlawed slavery, granted formerly enslaved people citizenship and equal protection under the law, and protected all citizens from racial discrimination in voting), Douglass was asked to speak at the dedication of the Emancipation Memorial in Washington, D.C.’s Lincoln Park in 1876.

Historians, in fact, suggest that Lincoln’s widow, Mary Todd Lincoln , bequeathed the late-president’s favorite walking stick to Douglass after that speech.

In the post-war Reconstruction era, Douglass served in many official positions in government, including as an ambassador to the Dominican Republic, thereby becoming the first Black man to hold high office. He also continued speaking and advocating for African American and women’s rights.

In the 1868 presidential election, he supported the candidacy of former Union general Ulysses S. Grant , who promised to take a hard line against white supremacist-led insurgencies in the post-war South. Grant notably also oversaw passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1871 , which was designed to suppress the growing Ku Klux Klan movement.

Frederick Douglass: Later Life and Death

In 1877, Douglass met with Thomas Auld , the man who once “owned” him, and the two reportedly reconciled.

Douglass’ wife Anna died in 1882, and he married white activist Helen Pitts in 1884.

In 1888, he became the first African American to receive a vote for President of the United States, during the Republican National Convention. Ultimately, though, Benjamin Harrison received the party nomination.

Douglass remained an active speaker, writer and activist until his death in 1895. He died after suffering a heart attack at home after arriving back from a meeting of the National Council of Women , a women’s rights group still in its infancy at the time, in Washington, D.C.

His life’s work still serves as an inspiration to those who seek equality and a more just society.

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Frederick Douglas, PBS.org . Frederick Douglas, National Parks Service, nps.gov . Frederick Douglas, 1818-1895, Documenting the South, University of North Carolina , docsouth.unc.edu . Frederick Douglass Quotes, brainyquote.com . “Reception Speech. At Finsbury Chapel, Moorfields, England, May 12, 1846.” USF.edu . “What to the slave is the 4th of July?” TeachingAmericanHistory.org . Graham, D.A. (2017). “Donald Trump’s Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.” The Atlantic .

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