Frederick Douglass: Quick Facts

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Oct. 16, 2026

United States official and diplomat Frederick Douglass was one of the most prominent human rights leaders of the 1800s. His oratorical and literary brilliance propelled him to the forefront of the abolition movement in the United States, and his autobiography, "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself" (1845), which links the quest for freedom to the pursuit of literacy, became a classic in American literature. Douglass became the first black citizen to hold high rank in the U.S. government.

Facts

Also Known As	Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey
Born	February 1818 • Maryland
Died	February 20, 1895 (aged 77) • Washington, D.C. • United States
Founder	“The North Star”
Notable Works	“An Appeal to Congress for Impartial Suffrage” • “Life and Times of Frederick Douglass” • “Reconstruction”
Notable Family Members	spouse Anna Murray Douglass • son of Harriet Bailey • married to Anna Murray Douglass (1838–1882) • married to Helen Pitts Douglass • father of Rosetta Douglass Sprague (b. 1839) • father of Lewis Henry Douglass (b. 1840) • father of Frederick Douglass, Jr. (b. 1842) • father of Charles Remond Douglass (b. 1844) • father of Annie Douglass (b. 1849) • brother of Sarah Bailey • brother of Eliza Bailey • brother of Perry Bailey • brother of Kitty Bailey • brother of Arianna Bailey • brother of Harriet Bailey
Founder Of	"The North Star"
Published Works	"My Bondage and My Freedom" (1855) • "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself" (1845; revised and completed in 1882 as "Life and Times of Frederick Douglass") • "The Heroic Slave" (1853)

Top Questions

What is Frederick Douglass most famous for?

Frederick Douglass was at the forefront of the U.S. abolitionist movement in the 19th century, and he is particularly well known for his autobiography, "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself" (1845; revised and completed in 1882 as "Life and Times of Frederick Douglass"), which gives an account of his escape from slavery and his pursuit of literacy, education, and independence. The work established Douglass as the leading African American man of letters of his time.

How did Frederick Douglass escape slavery?

Frederick made an attempt to escape slavery with three other slaves in 1833, but the plot was discovered before they could get away. Five years later, he managed to escape by posing as a free sailor and boarding a train headed to Philadelphia. He fled first to New York City and then to New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he worked as a labourer for three years, eluding slave hunters by changing his surname to Douglass.

What was Frederick Douglass's role in the American Civil War?

During the Civil War, Frederick Douglass became a consultant to President Abraham Lincoln, advocating that former slaves be armed for the North and that the war be made a direct confrontation against slavery.

When did Frederick Douglass publish "The North Star"?

Frederick Douglass published his antislavery newspaper, "The North Star" (later "Frederick Douglass's Paper"), from 1847 to 1860 in Rochester, New York.

What was Frederick Douglass's real name?

Frederick Douglass's birth name was Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey.

Did You Know?

More photographs were taken of Douglass than of any other person in the 19th century; he was photographed 160 times.
Douglass was an inspiration for the selection of February as Black History Month; though his actual birth date was unknown, he chose to celebrate his birthday on February 14.
Following the publication of his autobiography, "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave," and his rise to fame, Douglass became concerned that he would be brought back into slavery. He left for Ireland and Great Britain to gain supporters, who gathered the funds to buy him his freedom.
Over the course of his escape from slavery, Douglass changed his last name from Bailey (his birth surname) to Johnson to Douglass. However, he kept the first name Frederick his entire life.