What did Frederick Douglass do that was so important for black history?I just need to know basic outline of him and his life. And how he contribute to black history.

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slchanmo1885 | High School Teacher | (Level 1) Educator

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Frederick Douglass was an incredibly talented writer and orator who escaped slavery and brought the issue of slavery to the attention of people in the 1840s, 50s, and 60s. He grew up as a slave in Maryland, which is outlined in his work "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass." He secretly taught himself to read and worked hard to save up some money and escape from slavery. In the early 1840s he began working with leaders of the Abolitionist (anti-slavery) movement, making speeches and educating people about the horrors of slavery. He wrote a book about his experiences to educate others, and started the newspaper "The North Star." He later became and advisor and diplomat to people like Abraham Lincoln. His work greatly educated the public about slavery and helped move the abolitionist movement forward. His famous works are "The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass" and "The Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, Written by Himself." By publishing these works and speaking to the public, he showed everyone that black people were intelligent and talented people too, and deserved freedom.

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monopoly379 | Student, Grade 9 | (Level 1) Honors

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Always striving to educate himself, Douglass continued his reading. He joined various organizations in New Bedford, including a black church. He attended Abolitionists' meetings. He subscribed to William Lloyd Garrison's weekly journal, the Liberator. In 1841, he saw Garrison speak at the Bristol Anti-Slavery Society's annual meeting. Douglass was inspired by the speaker, later stating, "no face and form ever impressed me with such sentiments [the hatred of slavery] as did those of William Lloyd Garrison." Garrison, too, was impressed with Douglass, mentioning him in the Liberator. Several days later Douglass gave his speech at the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society's annual convention in Nantucket-- the speech described at the top of this page. Of the speech, one correspondent reported, "Flinty hearts were pierced, and cold ones melted by his eloquence." Before leaving the island, Douglass was asked to become a lecturer for the Society for three years. It was the launch of a career that would continue throughout Douglass' long life.


Ever since he first met Garrison in 1841, the white abolitionist leader had been Douglass' mentor. But the views of Garrison and Douglass ultimately diverged. Garrison represented the radical end of the abolitionist spectrum. He denounced churches, political parties, even voting. He believed in the dissolution (break up) of the Union. He also believed that the U.S. Constitution was a pro-slavery document. After his tour of Europe and the establishment of his paper, Douglass' views began to change; he was becoming more of an independent thinker, more pragmatic. In 1851 Douglass announced at a meeting in Syracuse, New York, that he did not assume the Constitution was a pro-slavery document, and that it could even "be wielded in behalf of emancipation," especially where the federal government had exclusive jurisdiction. Douglass also did not advocate the dissolution of the Union, since it would isolate slaves in the South. This led to a bitter dispute between Garrison and Douglass that, despite the efforts of others such as Harriet Beecher Stowe to reconcile the two, would last into the Civil War.

Frederick Douglass would continue his active involvement to better the lives of African Americans. He conferred with Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War and recruited northern blacks for the Union Army. After the War he fought for the rights of women and African Americans alike.

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shanwu | Student, College Freshman | (Level 1) eNoter

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mnyancey | High School Teacher | eNotes Newbie

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Frederick Douglass showed that it is nor where you start out in life, it is where you finish. He also showed the importance of education and how a willingness to learn can lead you to better places in life.

Born a slave and growing up without the ability to read, Frederick Douglass tricked some young white males to teach to read. He challenged the youth by saying they couldn't read certain passages. He would then learn to read simply by following along and pick up the words they were saying.

Despite not being able to read growing up, Douglass wrote two bestselling auto-biographies of his life. Showing people that no matter your circumstances, you can always better yourself.

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lexil0 | (Level 1) eNoter

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Frederick douglas was a freed slave. He pushes aboltion and because he was educated He was able to tell the story of the slave. He could articulate the treatment of slaves ans he also demonstrated the fact that blacks are equal to whites by holding himself in a respectable manner. 

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mj1999 | Student | (Level 1) eNoter

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fredrick douglass encouraged other black males/females to be in the u.s. army and kind of stoped it

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