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Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

Frederick Douglass · 1845

Douglass's 1845 autobiography, written to prove his enslavement was real, describing his escape from slavery and his path to becoming an abolitionist.

Douglass's own first autobiography, written and published by him to tell his life story in his own words.

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Yellowed title page of the 1845 Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. Text reads 'Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself', 'Boston: Published at the Anti-Slavery Office, No. 25 Cornhill, 1845'.
Frederick Douglass, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, 1845. Published Boston.

About this source

What it is

This is the first of three autobiographies written by Frederick Douglass, published in 1845 in Boston. It includes a preface by William Lloyd Garrison and a letter by Wendell Phillips, both white abolitionists who vouched for its truth and Douglass's authorship.

Why it matters

Douglass wrote the book partly to convince skeptics that he had truly been enslaved, since many doubted a former slave could write so well. It became one of the most influential works fueling the abolitionist movement, describing in vivid detail the violence of slavery and his determination to learn to read and eventually escape to freedom.

Look closer

  • Why might Douglass have needed other white abolitionists to vouch for his story?
  • What does his struggle to learn to read tell you about how slavery was maintained?
  • What parts of his escape does Douglass choose not to describe, and why?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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