Skip to main content

Primary sourceDocument24 April 1863

Poster Announcing a Lecture by Frederick Douglass, 1863

Frederick Douglass · 24 April 1863

A printed poster advertising a Civil War-era lecture by Frederick Douglass in Philadelphia on the 'Affairs of the Nation.'

This poster advertises a lecture given by Douglass, showing his role as a leading public speaker during the Civil War.

Ask Frederick Douglass about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Scan of a tan broadside poster headed 'NATIONAL HALL!' announcing 'FRED'K DOUGLASS Will LECTURE before the ALUMNI ASSOCIATION' of the Institute for Colored Youths, Friday Eve'g, April 24, at National Hall, subject 'Affairs of the Nation!', tickets 25 cents.
Poster announcing a lecture by Frederick Douglass, National Hall, Philadelphia, 1863.

About this source

What it is

This tan broadside poster, headed 'NATIONAL HALL!', announces that Frederick Douglass would lecture before the Alumni Association of the Institute for Colored Youths on 24 April 1863, on the subject 'Affairs of the Nation!' Tickets cost 25 cents. It dates from 1863, during the Civil War.

Why it matters

Douglass was one of the most sought-after public speakers of his era, and posters like this one show how his lectures were advertised and attended as public events. It reflects his role as a prominent voice commenting on national affairs during the war.

Look closer

  • What does the wording and pricing of the poster tell you about the event it advertises?
  • Why might the Institute for Colored Youths have hosted this lecture?
  • What questions does a poster like this leave unanswered about what Douglass actually said?

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

More Frederick Douglass sources

Meet the AI Frederick Douglass →
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'.Book

Primary source

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

Frederick Douglass · 1845

Speech

Primary source

What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?

Frederick Douglass · 5 July 1852

Printed broadside titled "Our Roll of Honor" listing the signatories to the Declaration of Sentiments from the 1848 Woman's Rights Convention at Seneca Falls, New York. Names are arranged in columns under headings Ladies and Gentlemen, with handwritten notes across the top and bottom margins.Document

Primary source

Declaration of Sentiments

Elizabeth Cady Stanton · 1848

Front page of The North Star newspaper, Rochester, N.Y., Friday, June 2, 1848, Vol. I, No. 29. Masthead reads 'The North Star' in large letters, with Frederick Douglass and N.P. Dellany named as editors. Dense columns of small printed text fill the page, with a handwritten signature in the upper right corner.Newspaper article

Primary source

The North Star

Frederick Douglass · 1847

Book

Primary source

My Bondage and My Freedom

Frederick Douglass · 1855

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Frederick Douglass now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions