Frederick Douglass: A Noble Life

Adler, David A. Frederick Douglass: A Noble Life.  Holiday House, New York: 2010. 144 pages. Tr. $18.95 ISBN 9780823420568

Annotation

Frederick Douglass: A Noble Life is a stunning biography of a national hero, Frederick Douglass who despite being born into slavery grew up to be an eloquent speaker, writer, abolitionist, and women’s rights and civil rights activist.

Review

Frederick Douglass was born into slavery in 1818 on the plantation of Col. Lloyd, and was shuffled among his various family members and estates throughout Douglass’s life, though Douglass spent most of his life as a slave in the home of Hugh Auld in Baltimore.  Douglass learned to read in the Auld’s home, a skill which would greatly affect his life.  At age 20 Douglass ran away and lived as a freeman in Massachusetts, though if he were to be caught by slave catchers he could be returned to his former master.  In Massachusetts Douglass met abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison, who helped Douglass get started lecturing and encouraged him to write his memoir.  Douglass continued to lecture throughout his career, as well as running an abolitionist newspaper, and working for the government. 

Awards/Honors

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Front and Back Matter

TOC, Preface, Important Dates in the Life of Frederick Douglass, Notes, Illustration Credits, Selected Bibliography, Index

Author’s Website

http://www.davidaadler.com/