Autobiographical Works (ePub)

Frederick Douglass (c. 1818 - February 20, 1895) was an African-American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman. After escaping from slavery in Maryland, he became a national leader of the abolitionist movement in Massachusetts and New York, known for his eloquent and incisive antislavery writings and speeches. His literary corpus primarily consists of autobiographical works, which are considered significant contributions to the genre, particularly as they provide an in-depth look at the inhumanities of slavery from the eyes of a former enslaved individual. Douglass's first autobiography, 'Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave' (1845), was widely read and propelled him into the national spotlight, influencing public opinion on the issue of slavery. He later expanded his autobiography with 'My Bondage and My Freedom' (1855) and completed the series with 'Life and Times of Frederick Douglass' (1881; revised in 1892), giving a more comprehensive view of his life and the context of his times. These works are lauded for their narrative clarity, moral force, and unflinching examination of the personal and societal impacts of slavery. Douglass's literary style is characterized by direct, vivid, and powerful prose, which serves to convey the urgency of his message and the depth of his convictions in the struggle for freedom and equality.