A gentleman will not insult me, and no man not a gentleman can insult me. Frederick douglass was born in maryland in 1818, the son of a slave woman and her white master. The first half of his life, after his escape from slavery in 1838, was spent in the abolition movement. Frederick douglass published three autobiographies. Pdf download great speeches by frederick douglass free. The hypocrisy of american slavery, july 4, 1852 frederick douglass 18171895, born a slave in maryland, became the best known black american leader of the 19th century. Frederick douglass archives teaching american history. The word white, frederick douglass paper, march 17, 1854 hammond, james h. First published in 2008, the series reflects a selection of great works of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry by african and african american authors introduced and annotated by leading scholars and acclaimed writers in. Abridged by janet gillespie, director of programming. February 1817 february 20, 1895 was an american social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman. In this speech, which was first delivered in 1859, he gives his own definition of the selfmade man and explains what he thinks are the means to become. Frederick douglass, the american colonization society, the liberator, june 8, 1849.
One person who felt that way was douglass, the famous abolitionist, who was himself born into slavery. The president and his speeches, an essay published in douglass monthly, september 1862 180 25. After escaping from slavery in maryland, he became a national leader of the abolitionist movement in massachusetts and new york, gaining note for his oratory and incisive antislavery writings. He became famous after writing his autobiography in 1845, where he described his escape from slavery.
When the ladies antislavery society of rochester, n. Frederick douglass the hypocrisy of american slavery a portrait of frederick douglass. Great speeches by frederick douglass by frederick douglass in doc, rtf, txt download ebook. Frederick douglass frederick douglass national historic. Hammond, of south carolina, on the admission of kansas, under the lecompton constitution. What the black man wants frederick douglass april 1865. He became a leader in the abolitionist movement, which. At a time like this, scorching irony, not convincing argument, is needed. Frederick douglass was an escaped slave who became a prominent activist, author and public speaker. The life and writings of frederick douglass, volume ii pre civil war.
In 1852, he was invited to speak at a july fourth ceremony in rochester, new york. This inexpensive compilation of his speeches including what to the slave is the fourth of july. A speech given at rochester, new york, july 5, 1852. On top of his federal work, douglass kept a vigorous speaking tour schedule. Before applying, you need to know which one of frederick douglasss speeches you will be reciting. Born a slave in maryland, douglas escaped in 1838 and earned widespread acclaim for his 1845 autobiography. He traveled to massachusetts and settled in new bedford, working as a laborer to support himself. The lessons of the hour speech by frederick douglass.
The speech is perhaps the most widely known of all of frederick douglass writings save his autobiographies. He was born a slave in maryland but managed to escape to the north in 1838. Page 1 of 15 what to the slave is the fourth of july. A collection of twenty of frederick douglasss most important orationsthis volume brings together twenty of frederick douglasss most historically significant speeches on a range of issues, including slavery, abolitionism, civil rights, sectionalism, temperance, womens rights, economic development, and immigration. Frederick douglass, what to the slave is the fourth of july. Title printed speeches by douglass, 18541855 contributor names douglass, frederick, 18181895 created published. Frederick douglass 18171895 was the best known and most influential african american leader of the 1800s. If you need help finding one, the national park service has compiled a list of suggested speeches, and the teaching american history website has links to many of frederick douglasss speeches. Frederick douglass 18181895 was the present and future of the colored race in america. In 1881, douglass published his third autobiography, life and times of frederick douglass, which took a long view of his lifes work, the nations progress, and the work left to do. Later he served in a number of positions, inlcuding. Frederick douglass july 4 speeches trace changes in u. Frederick douglass born frederick augustus washington bailey. He became famous after writing his autobiography in.
Author, abolitionist, political speaker, and philosopher,frederick douglass was a pivotal figure in the decades ofstruggle leading up to the civil war and the emancipationproclamation. Self made men frederick douglass download ebook pdf. Click here for the text of this historical document. Foners the life and writings of frederick douglass, originally published in new york in five volumes, 19501975t. In 1838, at the age of21, frederick douglass escaped from slavery. Explain two ways white landowners exploited africanamerican laborers as described by frederick douglass. During the 1850s, frederick douglass typically spent about six months of the year travelling extensively, giving lectures. Having escaped from slavery at age 20, he took the name frederick douglass for himself and became an advocate of abolition.
Speech at the annual meeting of the massachusetts antislavery society in boston. I came here, as i come always to the meetings in new england, as a listener, and not as a speaker. In the month of august, 1841, i attended an antislavery convention in nantucket, at which it was my happiness to become acquainted with frederick douglass, the writer of. Frederick douglass stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. The portable frederick douglass is the latest addition in a series of african american classics curated by henry louis gates, jr. Frederick douglass speech july 4, 1852 independence day. Since many people took his speeches to heart, it led them to believe that slavery really should be abolished, based on how it affected one leader they all looked. An 1876 speech given by frederick douglass at the unveiling of the freedmens monument in lincoln park, washington, dc. Douglasss life, from slavery to statesman, his writings and speeches, and his. Douglass insisted on giving the speech on july 5 because he refused to celebrate independence day in a nation that allowed slavery. America is false to the past, false to the present, and solemnly binds herself to be false to the future. The end of all compromises with slaverynow and forever frederick douglass paper, may 26, 1854.
Transcribed excerpts the lessons of the hour speech by frederick douglass. Frederick never knew his father but suspected him to be his owner, captain aaron anthony. Of douglasss many speeches, what to the slave is the fourth of july. Former slave and abolitionist orator frederick douglass gave this speech to the citizens of rochester, new york, on july 5, 1852 the same year uncle toms cabin was published. Remarks of frederick douglass on the emancipation proclamation, a speech delivered at zion church in rochester, new york on december 28, 1862 and published in douglass monthly, january 1863 184 26. A collection of twenty of frederick douglass s most important orationsthis volume brings together twenty of frederick douglass s most historically significant speeches on a range of issues, including slavery, abolitionism, civil rights, sectionalism, temperance, womens rights, economic development, and immigration. Excerpt from frederick douglass speech to the people of rochester, new york on the hypocrisy of slavery, july 4, 1852. The meaning of july fourth for the negro by frederick douglass. One of the greatest african american leaders and one of the most brilliant minds of his time, frederick douglass spoke and wrote with unsurpassed eloquence on almost all the major issues confronting the american people during his lifefrom the abolition of slavery to womens rights, from the civil war to lynching, from american patriotism to black nationalism.
Invited to speak as part of july 4 festivities in his adopted hometown of rochester, n. The first autobiography, the narrative of the life of frederick douglass, an american slave, written by himself, catapulted him to fame and invigorated the abolitionist movement. George kendall warrennational archives and records administration editors note. Great speeches by frederick douglass free pdf, doc, rtf, txt. Fremarjo enterprises, inc po box 382 emigrant, mt 59027 4063334970 406 3334145 fax. His speeches continued to agitate for racial equality and womens rights. The first was narrative of the life of frederick douglass, an american. All content included on our site, such as text, images, digital downloads and other, is the property of its content suppliers and protected by. I do not remember ever to have appeared as a speaker before any assembly. Title printed speeches by douglass, 18831889 contributor names douglass, frederick, 18181895 created published.
Central library of rochester and monroe county historic monographs collection. Full transcript of the lessons of the hour speech by frederick douglass. Frederick douglass july 5, 1852 what follows is an abridged version. Feel free to do your own research to find one of douglasss speeches there are a lot. A famous speech he gave in rochester in 1852 said holiday makers shouts of. A photograph of freedmens statue, which was created by thomas ball, located in lincoln park in washington, dc.
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