The eloquence of the writing, with an immediacy and honesty found shocking at the time, make this an invaluable first-hand record of one of humanity's most shameful acts. Later, Douglass highlights the hypocrisy of the 'slaveholding religion of this land', condemning it as 'the grossest of libels'. The beatings he witnessed and received himself are described in painful detail. Opening with a touching explanation of how he doesn't know his birthday, Douglass describes his early life and the growing awareness of the injustices he suffered.

This reissue is of the Dublin edition of 1845, with a preface by Douglass explaining his reasons for his journey to Britain. Following publication in 1845 of this autobiography he risked recognition and recapture by his owner, and so fled the United States.

Its source is unknown.Īll photographs credited to the AColumbia Historical in the above publication should now be credited to the AHistorical Society of Washington, Reproductions and permissions may be obtained from the Historical Society of Washington, D.C., 1307 New Hampshire Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C.Description Product filter button Descriptionįrederick Douglass (c.1818–1895) was born into slavery but escaped in 1838, quickly becoming involved in the abolitionist movement. They have no record of such an image in their holdings. The National Archives believes that this image has been incorrectly credited to their collections. ''The Freedman's Savings and Trust Company, located on Pennsylvania Avenue at Fifteenth Street, N.W., opposite the Treasury Building.'' This image is credited to the National Archives in the above publication. copyright protection (see Title 17, U.S.C.) or any other restrictions in the materials in The Capital and the Bay however there are two items from the publication entitled A Lecture on Our National Capital by Frederick Douglass, Anacostia Neighborhood Museum, Smithsonian Institution, and National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior, published by the Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C., 1978, for which additional information is provided below: See American Memory, Copyright, and Other Restrictions and Privacy and Publicity Rights for additional information. The written permission of the copyright owners and/or holders of other rights (such as publicity and/or privacy rights) is required for distribution, reproduction, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use or other statutory exemptions. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of an item and securing any necessary permissions ultimately rests with persons desiring to use the item. Even small children and the elderly were not exempt from these long work hours. The Library of Congress is providing access to these materials for educational and research purposes and makes no warranty with regard to their use for other purposes. Slaves, especially those in the field, worked from sunrise until sunset.

Life of an american slave