(1818 - 1896)

Born Frederick Agustus Washington Bailey in Maryland, Frederick changed his name to Frederick Douglass in an effort to elude his former slave owner.  He escaped from the slave owner in 1828 and settled in Massachusetts.  There, he joined the American Anti-Slavery Society and became one of its greatest spokesman for human rights, including women's rights.

In 1845, Douglass wrote his first book, Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave.  Fear that the widely published book would prompt his former slave owner to seek him out, he was encouraged to sail to Ireland   Upon returning from Ireland as a free man, he became an advisor to President Lincoln.  He also wrote other books and published a newspaper, "The North Star".

Frederick Douglass was the first African-American to run for the President of the United States.

FREDERICK DOUGLASS.....A GREAT BLACK AMERICAN