Great Speeches by Frederick Douglass

Written by Frederick Douglass

Narrated by Walter Baron

"Great Speeches by Frederick Douglass" is a pivotal collection showcasing Frederick Douglass's eloquence, determination, and leadership in advocating for the abolition of slavery and civil rights. Born a slave, Douglass became a leading 19th-century orator and activist after his escape. The book compiles his most significant speeches, highlighting his rhetorical prowess and keen insight into the era's injustices and moral failings. Douglass critically examines American values of freedom and democracy against the harsh truths of slavery and racial injustice in speeches like "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?". He condemned slavery while championing women's rights and the application of democratic principles to all, regardless of race. The collection is not just a historical record but a source of inspiration and a call to action, showcasing Douglass's ability to inspire social justice movements. His speeches remain a hopeful reminder of the fight for equality and the power of words to instigate change, making this collection a tribute to his lifelong dedication to achieving true freedom and justice for all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Release date: Apr 15, 2024
• ISBN: 9798875126420

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.