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What Is a Frederick Douglass Biography PDF?
A Frederick Douglass biography PDF is a digital document that records the life of the 19th-century abolitionist, writer, and statesman. Examples include his own autobiographies, National Park Service biographies, and archive profiles. Douglass wrote 3 autobiographies, and the 1845 Narrative is the most widely read.
Where Can Readers Find a Free Frederick Douglass Biography?
Project Gutenberg and the National Park Service offer free Frederick Douglass texts. Project Gutenberg lists his 1845 Narrative at gutenberg.org/ebooks/23 as a free download for Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, and other reading apps. Project Gutenberg states that its eBooks are always free. The listing names e-reader formats, so readers needing a PDF can print or save the page as one from a browser.
Which Sources Offer Free Frederick Douglass Biographies?
Three types of sources provide reliable biographical text. They are listed below.
- Project Gutenberg: the full text of the Narrative
- National Park Service: the biography at nps.gov/people/frederick-douglass.htm
- Maryland State Archives: the biographical series entry on Douglass
The National Park Service also operates the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site. [internal link: Best Public Domain Biography Sources]
Which Frederick Douglass Autobiographies Are Available?
The table below lists 3 autobiographies by Frederick Douglass. The columns show the title, the publication year, and the description.
| Title | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave | 1845 | First autobiography |
| My Bondage and My Freedom | 1855 | Second autobiography |
| Life and Times of Frederick Douglass | 1881, revised 1892 | Third autobiography |
Douglass wrote his first book, the Narrative, in 1845. He published Life and Times in 1881 and revised it in 1892. The 1881 edition is his third autobiography.
Who Was Frederick Douglass?
Frederick Douglass was an American abolitionist who escaped slavery in 1838 and became an author, newspaper editor, and diplomat. He was born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey.
What Are Frederick Douglass’s Quick Facts?
The table below lists 6 facts about Frederick Douglass. Each row names an attribute, and each cell gives its value.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey |
| Born | February 1818 |
| Birthplace | Talbot County, Maryland |
| Died | February 20, 1895 |
| Age at death | 77 |
| Burial service | Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, Washington, D.C. |
The birth month, birthplace, and death date come from the Maryland State Archives. The National Park Service confirms he died at age 77. His funeral took place at the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church.
What Was Frederick Douglass’s Early Life?
Frederick Douglass was born into slavery on Maryland’s Eastern Shore in February 1818. His owner’s wife taught him to read. He worked in Baltimore as a servant and laborer from 1826 to 1838.
How Did Frederick Douglass Escape Slavery?
Frederick Douglass escaped north by train and boat on September 3, 1838. He married Anna Murray in New York City on September 15 and arrived in New Bedford, Massachusetts, on September 18. He changed his name from Bailey to Douglass as protection against slave catchers.
What Did Frederick Douglass Do as an Abolitionist?
Frederick Douglass worked as a speaker, author, and newspaper editor. His main achievements are listed below.
- Publishing the Narrative in 1845
- Founding the newspaper The North Star in 1847
- Recruiting Black soldiers during the Civil War
- Meeting President Abraham Lincoln 3 times
English admirers purchased his freedom in 1846. The first issue of The North Star appeared in Rochester, New York, on December 3, 1847. The paper was renamed Frederick Douglass’s Paper in 1851. He ended his 15-year editing career in August 1863 and announced he was going South to recruit Black soldiers. He met Lincoln face to face 3 times.
What Government Roles Did Frederick Douglass Hold?
Douglass moved to Washington, D.C., in 1872 and published the New National Era. President Benjamin Harrison appointed him Minister to Haiti in 1889. He served in Haiti from 1889 to 1891.
What Was Frederick Douglass’s Family Life?
Douglass and Anna Murray had 5 children: Rosetta, Lewis Henry, Frederick Jr., Charles Remond, and Annie, who died at age 10. Anna died on August 4, 1882. He married Helen Pitts in 1884.
How Did Frederick Douglass Die?
Frederick Douglass attended the National Council of Women in Washington, D.C., on the morning of February 20, 1895. He died at Cedar Hill that evening. The National Park Service added his home to the park system in 1962 and designated it a National Historic Site in 1988.
What Are the Key Dates in Frederick Douglass’s Life?
The table below lists 8 key dates. The columns show the year and the event.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1818 | Born in Talbot County, Maryland |
| 1838 | Escaped slavery and married Anna Murray |
| 1845 | Published the Narrative |
| 1847 | Founded The North Star |
| 1872 | Moved to Washington, D.C. |
| 1881 | Published Life and Times |
| 1889 | Appointed Minister to Haiti |
| 1895 | Died at Cedar Hill |
The dates come from the National Park Service, Maryland State Archives, and a Michigan Senate resolution. [internal link: Abolitionist Leaders Biography List]
People Also Ask
Where Can I Download Frederick Douglass’s Narrative for Free?
Project Gutenberg offers the Narrative as a free download for e-readers and reading apps.
When Did Frederick Douglass Publish His First Autobiography?
Frederick Douglass published his first autobiography in 1845.
How Many Autobiographies Did Frederick Douglass Write?
Frederick Douglass wrote 3 autobiographies, published in 1845, 1855, and 1881.
How Old Was Frederick Douglass When He Died?
Frederick Douglass died at age 77 on February 20, 1895.
What Was The North Star?
The North Star was an anti-slavery newspaper Douglass started after leaving William Lloyd Garrison’s organization.
What Is the Best Frederick Douglass Biography PDF to Start With?
The 1845 Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is the standard starting text among his 3 autobiographies. Project Gutenberg provides it for free. The National Park Service biography covers his life from 1818 to 1895 in a shorter form. [internal link: Frederick Douglass Biography Facts]