Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass was born on February 14th, 1818. Frederick passed away February 20th, 1895 at 77 years old. Frederick Douglass was born in Talbot County, Maryland.
Frederick Douglass was an American speaker, writer, reformer, and leader. He was active in the fight for equal rights and against slavery.
He is remembered as one of the most influential voices for African American civil rights in the 19th century.
Douglass shared his life story in three books. His first,
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave (1845), became very popular and played a significant role in convincing people to support the abolition of slavery. Ten years later, he published
My Bondage and My Freedom (1855). After the Civil War, he wrote his final autobiography called
Life and Times of Frederick Douglass.
What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July? (1852) is a powerful speech by Frederick Douglass. He was born into slavery in the American South and escaped when he was young. He later became a famous speaker and writer. He was also one of the strongest leaders of the movement to end slavery in the mid-1800s.
The speech was given on July 5, 1852. It was presented to the Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society. It was later printed as a pamphlet and shared widely. In this speech, Douglass points out the apparent contradiction in America. The country that praises freedom, Christianity, and democracy. Yet, it allowed slavery to continue.
This speech mixes personal stories with political arguments. It helped inspire the abolitionist movement, which fought for the freedom of enslaved people before the Civil War.
In the speech, Douglass asks a hard question: “What have I, or those I represent, to do with your national independence? Are the great principles of political freedom and of natural justice, embodied in that Declaration of Independence, extended to us?.. 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.”
Douglass speaks from the perspective of people who had never been free. He shows the pain of slavery and the hypocrisy of the nation. At the same time, his words carry hope and courage. This speech reminds the nation of its failures and also its chance to change.
Even today, the message is still strong. It has not lost its meaning.
What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July? gives modern readers access to a classic work of African American literature.
Frederick Douglass: Lists & Other Mentions
- Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself: Oxford American: The Best Southern Nonfiction of All Time Selection in 2009.
Related Authors
Fans of Frederick Douglass also enjoy these authors:
- Stephen King, author of The Dark Tower Series.
- Ray Bradbury, author of: Fahrenheit 451.
- Charles Dickens, author of: A Christmas Carol.
- Margaret Atwood, author of The Handmaid's Tale Series.
- Arthur Conan Doyle, author of: The Hound of the Baskervilles.
Frederick Douglass: F.A.Q
When was Frederick Douglass Born?
Frederick Douglass was born on February 14th, 1818.
When did Frederick Douglass die?
Frederick Douglass died on February 20th, 1895 at 77 years old.
Where was Frederick Douglass Born?
Frederick Douglass was born in Talbot County, Maryland.
What was the first book Frederick Douglass wrote?
The first book written by Frederick Douglass was What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?, published in 1852.
What was the most recent book Frederick Douglass wrote?
His most recently released work was Three Addresses on the Relations Subsisting Between the White and Colored People of the United States (a short story) on August 11th, 2015.
What is the most popular book by Frederick Douglass?
Based on the number of readers on Book Notification, the most popular Frederick Douglass book is
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself. Here are his most popular books and their average ratings:
- Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself (8.00)
- My Bondage and My Freedom (8.00)
- What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? (10.00)
- The Heroic Slave (10.00)
How many books has Frederick Douglass written?
Frederick Douglass has written 9 books excluding contributions to anthologies. 5 Non-Fiction Books, 3 books in the Frederick Douglass Speeches, 1 book in the A Nation Divided: Studies in the Civil War Era Series, 1 book in the City Lights Open Media Series.