Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is an autobiography by Frederick Douglass that was first published in 1845. Douglass escaped from slavery in 1838 and became a prominent abolitionist, orator, and writer. His autobiography describes his experiences under slavery and his eventual freedom. The book was widely read and influenced public opinion in favor of the abolition of slavery. It remains one of the most read memoirs from the antebellum period. The autobiography includes a Preface by William Lloyd Garrison and a letter from Wendell Phillips addressed to Douglass.

Content Warning: This guide discusses slavery, racist abuse and violence, and sexual abuse. The source material uses outdated language and racial slurs. This guide quotes and obscures the author’s use of the n-word.

Summary

Frederick Douglass was born into slavery in Tuckahoe, Maryland, in approximately 1817. His mother was an enslaved woman named Harriet Bailey, and his father was unknown but believed to be his first enslaver, Captain Aaron Anthony. Douglass’s childhood was shaped by slavery, and he witnessed the brutality of the plantation. His first enslaver, Captain Anthony, was employed by Colonel Edward Lloyd, who had a large property. Anthony’s family included his sons, Andrew and Richard, and his daughter, Lucretia, who was married to Captain Thomas Auld.