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Biography of Fredrick Douglass

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When you think of great Americans in our history there are countless that come to mind. Some immediately think of the many presidents we have had, others think of inventors, but what about the people that are in between – the people that fought for equality. Fredrick Douglass arguably had the greatest impact on American society, especially African American society, in the nineteenth century. Douglass is credited as being an abolitionist, author, editor, and diplomat. He used literature, books, newspapers, and even speeches, to leave a long lasting mark on our society. Douglass advised presidents and lectured to thousands about different causes, including women’s rights. A cause he felt a strong connection with was the abolishing of slavery, being that he was once a slave. Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey born into slavery in February 1818 in Talbot County, Maryland. The exact date of his birthday is unknown, although according to his book Narrative of the Life of an American Slave he chose to take February 14th being his birthday because his mother, whom died when he was about 10, referred to him as her “little valentine”. "I have no accurate knowledge of my age, never having seen any authentic record containing it." (Douglass) Douglass was the son of a slave mother and possibly his owner. (Foner pg 390) “The opinion was ... whispered that my master was my father; but of the correctness of this opinion I know nothing.” (Douglass) At a young age he was selected to live

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