c. 1818 – 1895
Frederick Douglass
A brilliant speaker who taught himself to read and freed his own voice.
The Story
Frederick was born enslaved on a Maryland farm and forbidden from learning to read.
He secretly traded bread for reading lessons with kids in the street.
He escaped to freedom and became one of the most powerful speakers in America.
He wrote a famous book about his own life so the whole world would understand.
He met with presidents and worked his whole life for the freedom of all people.