June 2018-June 2019/Frederick Douglass: Agitator

Learn more about the exhibit and upcoming programming here.

A mosaic of Frederick Douglass made of smaller photos of him with the title Frederick Douglass: Agitator across the bottom

The Columbian Orator at the American Writers Museum

Frederick Douglass's stag head inkwell and pens on display at the American Writers Museum

Author and orator Frederick Douglass was a “self-made man” (the title of one of his most popular speeches). To Douglass, a self-made man was an activist who sought to eradicate the sins of society. He escaped from slavery to become one of the most eloquent voices of abolitionism. The official end of slavery in 1865 marked the second phase of Douglass’ career. His words – passionate, brilliant, and powerful – denounced violent racism in the South while demanding true equality for all Americans.