Frederick Douglass
Perhaps the greatest African-American abolitionist was Frederick Douglass. Being born into slavery, his owner's wife taught him the alphabet, and he soon learned how to read and write. In 1841, he began to speak to crowds. His eloquent language caused people to doubt that he was a slave. An increase of attention caused him to flee to England in fear that his old master would find him. A group of abolitionists soon paid for his freedom. Douglass returned to United States and continued to fight for the freedom of slaves. He is known as the publisher of the anti-slavery newspaper, North Star. |
Above: Frederick Douglass's North Star.