Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey was his original name when he was born. Born in Tuckahoe, Maryland in 1817 to a slave, whose name was Harriet Bailey. His father was an unknown white man. Douglass didn't know much about his mother. He was taken away from her when he was an infant. His father was thought to be his master, but nobody really knew. At age seven his mother died and he was left not knowing who she really was.
At one point in his life he thought he found a master and a mistress that he would like. His mistress began to teach him how to read and write. Once though his master found out, he put a stop to it and Doulgass would have to learn on his own. He would have the white children in the neighborhood teach him by playing games. They did not know, they were helping him to read. By learning how to read, it was a start of getting out of slavery for him. He was eventually transferred back down south t owork at his old masters land. There he would begin to teach other slaves the gift that he was given. They would hold meetings at night, where Douglass would teach them how to read and write. During this time is where he got his idea of escaping slavery. In 1836, he attempted to run away from slavery. His attempt failed when his master found out.
Douglass would not give up there though. Two years later he would successfully escape slavery. After escaping slavery he changed his name to Frederick Douglass. His career as an abolitionist began in 1841. He attended and antislavery convention, where he addressed the convention. This address made others aware of what a great orator he was. Douglass was also involved in the Underground Railroad. He was the "station-master" and "conductor", in Rochester, New York. He also established the newspaper called the North Star, which he edited until 1860.
Douglass was a very well known abolitionist, writer, orator, conductor, and station master. He helped the abolitionists in fighting for the freedom of slaves. Douglass was a man who made a difference for slaves with the help of others. He was very well known and today he is still well known for what he has accomplished for the fight of freedom for slaves.
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