Frederick Douglass 2 Complete Works: Life & Times Of Frederick Douglass Narrative On The Life Of Frederick Douglass

Written by Frederick Douglass

Narrated by Geoffrey Giuliano and The Arc

Frederick Douglass, born into slavery in Maryland in 1818, became one of the most prominent abolitionists, orators, and writers in American history. His life story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the pursuit of freedom. Douglass escaped slavery in his early twenties and dedicated his life to the abolitionist cause. Through his powerful speeches, autobiographical writings, and activism, he fought for the rights of African Americans and became a leading voice in the fight against slavery.

Douglass's legacy is rooted in his tireless efforts to expose the atrocities of slavery and advocate for equal rights. His first autobiography, "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave," published in 1845, vividly depicted the brutalities of slavery and its dehumanizing effects. The book became a bestseller and an influential tool in the abolitionist movement. Douglass went on to write two additional autobiographies, "My Bondage and My Freedom" (1855) and "Life and Times of Frederick Douglass" (1881), chronicling his life, experiences, and evolving viewpoints. His writings not only shed light on the horrors of slavery but also provided a platform for him to advocate for education, suffrage, and social justice.

In addition to his writings, Douglass's oratory skills captivated audiences and galvanized support for the abolitionist cause. He was a powerful and persuasive speaker, delivering speeches that stirred emotions, challenged societal norms, and demanded equality for all. His most famous speech, "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" delivered in 1852, remains a poignant critique of the hypocrisy of celebrating freedom while denying it to enslaved individuals.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Icon Audio Arts
• Release date: May 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9798887679549

Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) was an African American abolitionist, writer, statesman, and social reformer. Born in Maryland, he escaped slavery at the age of twenty with the help of his future wife Anna Murray Douglass, a free Black woman from Baltimore. He made his way through Delaware, Philadelphia, and New York City—where he married Murray—before settling in New Bedford, Massachusetts. In New England, he connected with the influential abolitionist community and joined the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, a historically black denomination which counted Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman among its members. In 1839, Douglass became a preacher and began his career as a captivating orator on religious, social, and political matters. He met William Lloyd Garrison, publisher of anti-slavery newspaper The Liberator, in 1841, and was deeply moved by his passionate abolitionism. As Douglass’ reputation and influence grew, he traveled across the country and eventually to Ireland and Great Britain to advocate on behalf of the American abolitionist movement, winning countless people over to the leading moral cause of the nineteenth century. He was often accosted during his speeches and was badly beaten at least once by a violent mob. His autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave (1845) was an immediate bestseller that detailed Douglass’ life in and escape from slavery, providing readers a firsthand description of the cruelties of the southern plantation system. Towards the end of his life, he became a fierce advocate for women’s rights and was the first Black man to be nominated for Vice President on the Equal Rights Party ticket, alongside Presidential candidate Victoria Woodhull. Arguably one of the most influential Americans of all time, Douglass led a life dedicated to democracy and racial equality.