Notes-F4

Frederick Douglass was born in a slave cabin, in February, 1818, near the town of Easton, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Separated from his mother when only a few weeks old he was raised by his grandparents. At about the age of six, his grandmother took him to the plantation of his master and left him there. Not being told by her that she was going to leave him, Douglass never recovered from the betrayal of the abandonment. When he was about eight he was sent to Baltimore to live as a houseboy with Hugh and Sophia Auld, relatives of his master. It was shortly after his arrival that his new mistress taught him the alphabet. When her husband forbade her to continue her instruction, because it was unlawful to teach slaves how to read, Frederick took it upon himself to learn. Returning to the Eastern Shore, at approximately the age of fifteen, Douglass became a field hand, and experienced most of the horrifying conditions that plagued slaves during the 270 years of legalized slavery in. But it was during this time that he had an encounter with the slavebreaker Edward Covey. Their fight ended in a draw, but the victory was Douglass', as his challenge to the slavebreaker restored his sense of self-worth.

Whenever he could he attended abolitionist meetings, and, in October, 1841 after attending an anti-slavery convention on Nantucket Island, Douglass became a lecturer for the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society and a colleague of William Lloyd Garrison. This work led him into public speaking and writing. He published his own newspaper.

Frederick Douglass is a very important person to some people. I think he is a caring person that wants the best for the people. He was a very determined person that escaped slavery even though things were looking bad for him. He also overcame some obstacles. He took a lot of risks too. He once tried to escape. He was makin plans. Then he was discovered by some guards. He was severily punished for trying to escape slavery.

Frederick Douglass should be remembered for overcoming obstacles while he was a slave. What people can learn from this person is not to give up on what you believe in. Also, to keep trying when you fail and not giving up. I think that if Frederick Douglass was still alive things would be a little better today.