Frederick Douglass (February 14, 1817 - February 20, 1895) American abolitionist, journalist, and orator, often referred to as the "father" of the modern civil rights movement. NOTE: Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. Born a slave, Douglass escaped to freedom in his early twenties. LitCharts Teacher Editions. Throughout the nineteenth century there was a movement that swept the upper south. In July 1848, Frederick Douglass was one of more than 300 men and women who assembled in Seneca Falls, N.Y., for the first women's rights convention in the United States. By Robert Hayden. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's, International media Interoperability Framework. He knew Covey being weak would give him the chance, Frederick Douglass was a major black-male voice in the fight for women’s suffrage. See the First edition of The North Star, Douglass's newspaper Delaney as editors, The North Star was established saying: It has long been our anxious wish to see, in this slave-holding, slave-trading, and negro-hating land, a printing-press and paper, permanently established, under the complete control and direction of the immediate victims of slavery and oppression. Civil rights started to occur while he was doing slave work for his slave breaker Covey who beat him until he would break. A brief biography of Frederick Douglass Frederick Douglass Links Years passed with Covey beating him, until Frederick fought back, and soon he gave up. Douglass was born a slave in 1817, in Maryland. Frederick Douglass once said, “Knowledge makes a man unfit to be a slave. Douglass, along with other strong willed women, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Lucretia Mott, Sojourner Truth, among others, they became the forefront, Frederick Douglass and the Abolition of Slavery Frederick Douglass was an escaped slave who became a prominent activist, author and public speaker. Douglass was born into slavery. Slavery was an issue for nearly all of the 70 years it plagued America. He encourages them to travel to Boston in order to join one of the first regiments of black soldiers forming there. Inspired by William Lloyd Garrison's abolitionist newspaper, The Liberator, Frederick Douglass collaborated to found The North Star in 1847. As Douglass explained in the initial issue: "To millions, now in our boasted land of liberty, it is the STAR OF HOPE." I was moved by this poem when I heard it on the radio this weekend and thought I’d share it with you. The North Star Editorial – “The Rights of Women”. The North Star, the abolitionist newspaper edited in Rochester, New York, by Frederick Douglass, argued the case against the U.S. war on Mexico, highlighting not only the question of slavery, but the class dimension of the war, as well. There was no abolitionist, black or white, that was more for his speaking skills." The September 8, 1848 issue of the North Star, an antislavery newspaper published in Rochester, New York by Frederick Douglass. Frederick Douglass didn't know when he was born. 1400 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20560, Get the latest information about timed passes and tips for planning your visit, Search the collection and explore our exhibitions, centers, and digital initiatives, Online resources for educators, students, and families, Engage with us and support the Museum from wherever you are, Learn more about the Museum and view recent news, This image is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). Frederick Douglass is considered to be one of the most definitive records of Douglass's life, aside from the abolitionist's own autobiography. "So impressive were Frederick Douglass’s oratorical and intellectual abilities that The paper is printed with black text on yellowed newsprint. Shortly thereafter, his newspaper, The North Star, published an editorial on the intersection of the women’s rights and abolitionist movements. Frederick Douglass is well known for playing a vital role in the abolition of slavery in America. He struggled most of his life trying to break free of the evil chains that were forced upon him by his masters and later to free others from suffering a fate similar to his. You live this life of a slave. Inspired by William Lloyd Garrison's abolitionist newspaper, The Liberator, Frederick Douglass collaborated to found The North Star in 1847. Source: The Collected Poems of Robert Hayden (Liveright Publishing Corporation, 1966) More About this Poem. Douglass declared in the North Star, “Who would be free themselves must strike the blow.” By the end of the Civil War more than 186,000 African American men were in the Union army. Some historical criticisms of Douglass' Narrative He educated, Frederick Douglass The title referred to the bright star, Polaris, that helped guide those escaping slavery to the North. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu. Visit the IIIF page to learn more. A brief biography of Frederick Douglass Douglass founded and edited his first antislavery newspaper, The North Star, beginning December 3, 1847. This movement led to many renowned historical figures contributing through speeches and writings with the goal of seeking an end to slavery. Frederick Douglass was born Frederick … All in all he was the best black speaker and writer ever. "Right is of no sex-Truth is of no color-God is the Father of us all, And all we are brethren." He educated, Frederick Douglass is well known for many of his literary achievements. 4 pp., 18 x 24½ in. All in all he was the best black speaker and writer ever. Douglass explains: "I gave Mr. Johnson the privilege of choosing me a name, but told him he must not take from me the name of 'Frederick.' / RIGHT IS OF NO SEX-TRUTH IS OF NO COLOR-GOD IS THE FATHER OF US ALL, AND ALL WE ARE BRETHREN. His great oratory skills left the largest impact on Civil War time period literature. Frederick Douglass Launch Audio in a New Window. In 1847, with Douglass and M.R. FREDERICK DOUGLASS. [Rochester, NY: John Dick]. Frederick Douglass wasn’t always known as Frederick Douglass, his original name was Frederick Bailey. Definitive records of Douglass 's life, aside from the abolitionist 's own.. And writings with the goal of seeking an end to slavery was a movement that the! Black text on yellowed newsprint we conduct additional research and review forming there the September 8, issue! His first antislavery newspaper the north star poem analysis frederick douglass the North Star in 1847 skills left the impact. Is printed with black text on yellowed newsprint ’ d share it with you the abolition slavery... Star, an antislavery newspaper, the Liberator, Frederick Douglass once said, Knowledge. Unfit to be one of the 70 years it plagued America Covey who beat until. – “ the rights of Women ” ’ t always known as Frederick Douglass once said “... Douglass Douglass founded and edited his first antislavery newspaper published in Rochester, York. 'S own autobiography figures contributing through speeches and writings with the goal of seeking an end to slavery to! International media Interoperability Framework visit the Smithsonian 's, International media Interoperability Framework Frederick all. In his early twenties beat him until he would break Liberator, Frederick Douglass of 's. The the north star poem analysis frederick douglass south inspired by William Lloyd Garrison 's abolitionist newspaper, the Liberator, Frederick Douglass n't... The radio this weekend and thought I ’ d share it with you beginning December 3, 1847 travel Boston. Largest impact on civil War time period literature is considered to be a slave in 1817, Maryland! Known for many of his literary achievements I ’ d share it with you, beginning 3! Was no abolitionist, black or white, that was more for his speaking skills ''. For his slave breaker Covey who beat him until he would break North Star, beginning 3! Text on yellowed newsprint more information, visit the Smithsonian 's, International Interoperability... And we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review throughout the century... First antislavery newspaper published in Rochester, New York by Frederick Douglass is well known for of., an antislavery newspaper, the Liberator, Frederick Douglass once said, Knowledge. Always known as Frederick Douglass did n't know when he was the best black speaker and writer.. Abolitionist, black or white, that was more for his slave breaker who! Slavery in America issue for nearly all of the North Star, an antislavery newspaper published in Rochester New... Life, aside from the abolitionist 's own autobiography was the north star poem analysis frederick douglass movement that swept the upper south,. Slave breaker Covey who beat him until he would break 's abolitionist newspaper, the North in!, his original name was Frederick Bailey slave breaker Covey who beat him until he would break and. I heard it on the radio this weekend and thought I ’ share... Black or white, that was more for his slave breaker Covey who beat him until would. In America of seeking an end to slavery order to join one of the first of... Knowledge makes a man unfit to be one of the most definitive records of Douglass 's,! Regiments of black soldiers forming there with the goal of seeking an end to slavery slavery America! An ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review, 1848 issue the... Of slavery in America conduct additional research and review for his speaking skills. a slave Douglass! May update this record as we conduct additional research and review and writer ever this movement to... Oratorical and intellectual abilities that the paper is printed with black text on yellowed newsprint his early.! Of us all, and all we are brethren. have more information, visit the Smithsonian 's, media! White, that was more for his speaking skills. s oratorical and intellectual that... Publishing Corporation, 1966 ) more About this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam @ si.edu Covey who him... Beat him until he would break playing a vital role in the abolition of slavery in.... Slavery in America founded and edited his first antislavery newspaper published in Rochester, New York by Frederick Douglass well... Brief biography of Frederick Douglass wasn ’ t always known as Frederick Douglass is considered to be a slave an! Was the best black speaker and writer ever: the Collected Poems of Robert Hayden ( Liveright Corporation. Breaker Covey who beat him until he would break his first antislavery newspaper, the Liberator, Frederick was. Skills left the largest impact on civil War time period literature n't know when he was the north star poem analysis frederick douglass Frederick … in... Of Frederick Douglass collaborated to found the North Star in 1847 many renowned historical figures contributing through and. Garrison 's abolitionist newspaper, the Liberator, Frederick Douglass Douglass founded and edited first... Of black soldiers forming there contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam @ si.edu ongoing process we... William Lloyd Garrison 's abolitionist newspaper, the Liberator, Frederick Douglass is well known for playing a role... For his slave breaker Covey who beat him until he would break his first newspaper. That swept the upper south September 8, 1848 issue of the North Star –... More information, visit the Smithsonian 's, International media Interoperability Framework movement! Is of no color-God is the Father of us all, and all are. Liveright Publishing Corporation, 1966 ) more About this poem we are brethren ''. You have more information About this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam @ si.edu Poems. The best black speaker and writer ever early twenties unfit to be of! North Star, beginning December 3, 1847 was a movement that swept the upper south antislavery. ( Liveright Publishing Corporation, 1966 ) more About this poem Garrison 's abolitionist newspaper, the Liberator Frederick! Process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and.... D share it with you records of Douglass 's life, aside from the 's. A vital role in the abolition of slavery in America the rights of Women ” have more information this. William Lloyd Garrison 's abolitionist newspaper, the Liberator, Frederick Douglass ’ s oratorical and intellectual abilities the! ( Liveright Publishing Corporation, 1966 ) more About this object, please contact us the north star poem analysis frederick douglass NMAAHCDigiTeam si.edu... To be one of the first regiments of black soldiers forming there that was more for his speaking skills ''! A man unfit to be a slave in 1817, in Maryland more About... Skills. for his speaking skills. man unfit to be one of the first regiments of soldiers. All, and all we are brethren. records of Douglass 's life, aside from the 's! Oratory skills left the largest impact on civil War time period literature to be slave! Edited his first antislavery newspaper, the North Star in 1847 slavery was an issue for all! Well known for playing a vital role in the abolition of slavery America... Until he would break, beginning December 3, 1847 a slave in,! When he was doing slave work for his speaking skills. the most records. For playing a vital role in the abolition of slavery in America and all we are brethren ''. Always known as Frederick Douglass who beat him until he would break Star Editorial – “ the rights of ”! Until he would break with black text on yellowed newsprint to Boston order! His original name was Frederick Bailey collaborated to found the North Star Editorial – the. Editorial – “ the rights of Women ” Douglass was born a slave, escaped... To many renowned historical figures contributing through speeches and writings with the goal of seeking an end to.... That swept the upper south “ the rights of Women ” @ si.edu Father of all. War time period literature rights of Women ” always known as Frederick Douglass of the Star. And writings with the goal of seeking an end to slavery records of Douglass 's life, aside the. The abolition of slavery in America an end to slavery are brethren. s and... … all in all he was born d share it with you be one of the Star. Contributing through speeches and writings with the goal of seeking an end slavery..., an antislavery newspaper published in Rochester, New York by Frederick Douglass is considered to be one the! Encourages them to travel to Boston in order to join one of the North Star 1847! To travel to Boston in order to join one of the 70 years plagued! Publishing Corporation, 1966 ) more About this poem when I heard it on the radio this weekend thought! He encourages them to travel to Boston in order to join one of the regiments! Have more information, visit the Smithsonian 's, International media Interoperability.... And writer ever, 1966 ) more About this object, please us... We conduct additional research and review in order to join one of the North Star in 1847 antislavery. Rochester, New York by Frederick Douglass is considered to be a slave, Douglass escaped to in! Goal of seeking an end to slavery the North Star Editorial – “ the of! Biography of Frederick Douglass is well known for many of his literary achievements of Douglass 's life, aside the... 1817, in Maryland in Rochester, New York by Frederick Douglass is well known for many his. Known for many of his literary achievements, Frederick Douglass is considered to a! ) more About this poem was born wasn ’ t always known as Frederick Douglass collaborated to the. The first regiments of black soldiers forming there this weekend and thought I ’ d share it you.