The Self-Reliant Entrepreneur

November

Frederick Douglass (1818–1895)

Without a struggle, there can be no progress.

—Frederick Douglass

Source: Wikimedia

Born into slavery in Maryland, Frederick Douglass escaped to freedom in the North, where he became a vocal advocate for the abolitionist movement, racial equality, and women's rights.

Douglass did not know his exact date of birth, only the year: 1818. He was raised in the country but was sent to Baltimore at age eight to work for a ship carpenter. It was in the city that he was first exposed to abolitionist ideas.

In 1833, he was sent back to the country. Farm life was miserable, and Douglass was whipped regularly. In 1836 he planned to escape, but his plot was discovered and he was jailed.

In 1838, he was sent back to Baltimore. He again planned to escape and enlisted the help of Anna Murray, a free black woman. This time he was successful, and Douglass settled in New Bedford, Massachusetts. He was joined by Murray, whom he married.

In Massachusetts, Douglass educated himself further and became involved in abolitionist causes. He gained widespread attention following a speech at the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society's annual convention.

He began to speak all across the United States, and in 1845 he published his first autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. But, fearing re-enslavement, he decided to travel to Europe, where he ...