Frederick Douglass, abolitionist and rights activist

Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey was the son of a black woman who was a slave and an unknown white man. He was born in Maryland and spent his early years as a slave. Unlike many slaves, he was allowed to learn to read and write. After he was sent to a farm that was run by a man who beat him daily, Bailey escaped to New York City. Later, he settled in Massachusetts and took a new name, Frederick Douglass. Douglass became one of the best-known abolitionist speakers. He fought to end slavery in the United States. Douglass was editor of an antislavery newspaper, called The North Star.

During the Civil War, he became an advisor to President Lincoln. After the war ended, Douglass continued to fight for equality of former slaves. He worked to get new laws that gave voting rights and other freedoms to African Americans. He is remembered today as a powerful voice for human rights and for his courage in speaking out for the rights of all Americans.