Frederick Douglass — Timeline

Key moments in the life of Frederick Douglass.

1818

Born into slavery in Talbot County, Maryland, with the birth name Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey

1826

Sent to Baltimore to work as a house servant where he learned to read and write

1838

Escaped slavery and fled to Philadelphia, later settling in New Bedford, Massachusetts

1841

Gave his first public speech at an anti-slavery convention in Nantucket, Massachusetts

1845

Published his autobiography 'Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave'

1847

Purchased his freedom from his former enslaver for $711.66

1852

Delivered the famous speech 'What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?' in Rochester, New York

1881

Published his final autobiography 'Life and Times of Frederick Douglass'

1889

Appointed Minister Resident and Consul-General to the Republic of Haiti

1895

Died on February 20 in Washington, D.C. at approximately 77 years old