Profile of the Day: Frederick Douglass

Abolitionist leader Frederick Douglass was born into slavery around February 1817 in Talbot County, Maryland. Although the exact date of his birth is unknown, Douglass later chose to celebrate his birthday on February 14.

Image: Frederick Douglass / U.S. National Archives and Records Administration

As a child, Douglass was sent to live with a ship carpenter named Hugh Auld. During this time, Auld’s wife began teaching Douglass how to read. Douglass would continue to teach himself how to read and write, believing that “knowledge is the pathway from slavery to freedom.”

Douglass attempted to escape from slavery twice before he finally succeeded. After his escape to freedom, Douglass became one of the most prominent voices of the abolitionist movement. He wrote several autobiographies about his experience as a slave, including his most influential book, The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. The best-selling autobiography is often credited for fueling the abolitionist movement and helping to bring an end to slavery. He continued to fight for equality for all people and even became the first African American to be nominated for Vice President of the United States as the running mate of Victoria Woodhull. Although he was nominated without his consent, Douglass’s nomination marked the first time an African American appeared on a presidential ballot.

Douglass died on February 20, 1895 in Washington, D.C and was buried in the family plot in Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester, New York.

Explore Frederick Douglass’s family tree and discover how you’re related to the remarkable abolitionist leader.

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