Frederick Douglass was born a slave in 1818. Early in his life, he learned that "...there was something unnatural about slavery..." (Huggins 5). Every effort his masters made to keep Douglass enslaved only strengthened his determination to escape. He fell in love with Anna Murray, a freeborn black, and they escaped together to New York City, where they were married.
Frederick and Anna started their new lives together in New Bedford, Massachusetts. In 1841, Douglass became active in the abolitionist movement. He gave speeches about his firsthand experience with slavery at abolitionist meetings and conventions. In 1845, he published The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, which was an autobiography that also served as an abolitionist writing.
In order to avoid being captured, Douglass went to Britain, where he experienced a freedom he had not known in the United States, even after his escape from slavery. While he was in Britain, Douglass toured with William Lloyd Garrison to encourage the establishment of an antislavery society in Britain that would be supportive of American abolitionists. Before Douglass returned to America in April of 1847, his British friend bought his freedom, so he would not have to fear being captured upon his return.
Douglass believed that "...a successful [news]paper, edited by a black man and former slave..." (Huggins 38) was the best way for him to help the abolitionist cause. On November 1, 1847, Douglass began publishing the North Star, which would "'...attack slavery in all its forms...advocate Universal Emancipation...'" (Huggins 42) and promote equality. Douglass struggled to keep his paper in business, but in 1863, he was no longer able to publish it.
Douglass opposed the emigration called for by many black leaders in the 1850's. He believed that leaving the country meant simply leaving current slaves to their fate, and that this was a selfish act.
Because of differing views, Douglass broke with the Garrisonians in the 1950's. He was prepared to use violence if it was necessary and to use political means as well to achieve his goals. The Garrisonians believed in moral suasion.
During the Civil War, Douglass actively recruited black soldiers. He met with Lincoln shortly after the beginning of the war to discuss the injustice of the treatment of black and white soldiers. In 1864, Lincoln met with Douglass again to ask for his advice on matters pertaining to blacks, upon which he was undecided. Although Douglass knew that Lincoln was not a strong advocate of abolition, he gave a eulogy at Lincoln's memorial service.
After the Civil War, Douglass received appointments to office under Hayes and Garfield. In 1884, after the death on Anna, his first wife, Douglass married a white woman, which caused a lot of controversy, especially because it occurred so soon after the Civil War. Frederick Douglass died of a heart attack on February 20, 1895 (Huggins 1980).