The Writings of Frederick Douglass

Douglass Quote 05

Frederick Douglass was one of the most prolific writers os the 19th century. He wrote three autobiographies, each one expanding on the details of his life. The first was Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written By Himself (1845); the second was My Bondage and My Freedom (1855); and the third was Life and Times of Frederick Douglass (1881). They are now foremost examples of the American slave narrative. After escaping from slavery, Douglass began giving speeches about his life and experiences. His first autobiography brought him fame throughout the United States and the United Kingdom. Douglass founded his first paper, the North Star. He served as its chief editor and authored a considerable body of letters, editorials, and speeches from then on. 

We present a number of his writings here and will add more over time. His writings have been collected in many volumes and many are also available on the Library of Congress website.

The Church and Prejudice
- November 4, 1841

Farewell Speech to the British People
- March 30, 1847

What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?
- July 5, 1852

A Call To Work
- November 19, 1852

Speech on the Dred Scott Decision 
- May, 1857

What the Black Man Wants
- April, 1865