Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, Written by Himself by Frederick Douglass
"Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, Written by Himself" is the third autobiography of Frederick Douglass, an influential abolitionist and a prominent figure in the fight against slavery in 19th-century America. The work is structured into three parts, with the first detailing Douglass's early years as a slave in Maryland, characterized by poignant incidents that reveal the brutal realities of slavery and Douglass's awakening to the importance of education as a pathway to freedom. This section culminates in Douglass's escape from bondage in 1838, marking a pivotal turn in his life.
The second part focuses on Douglass's activism as an abolitionist, documenting his speeches, writings, and significant contributions during the Civil War, including his advocacy for African American soldiers. Douglass's encounters with notable figures, including President Abraham Lincoln, underscore his role in shaping the discourse on freedom and rights for African Americans. The final section reflects on Douglass's later life, including his governmental appointments and travels in Europe, culminating in a humble assessment of his achievements and a belief in the meaningfulness of his journey. This autobiography serves not only as a personal narrative but also as a historical document illuminating the broader struggle for freedom and equality during a transformative period in American history.
Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, Written by Himself by Frederick Douglass
Excerpted from an article in Magill’s Survey of American Literature, Revised Edition
First published: 1881
Type of work: Autobiography
The Work
Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, Written by Himself documents the author’s life in the 1800’s, a century that includes Douglass’s birth in its second decade and his ascension to governmental appointments during the 1870’s and 1880’s. Douglass’s third autobiography is divided into three sections. Part 1, in the same manner as Douglass’s earlier autobiographies, focuses on the first twenty years of Douglass’s life as a slave in Maryland. Life and Times of Frederick Douglass is an autobiographical Bildungsroman that is more than Douglass’s coming-of-age story; it is also an eloquent narrative of Douglass’s choosing to live his life as a free man instead of living his life as a slave owner’s chattel. Among the most memorable scenes in part 1 are five incidents prior to Douglass’s tenth birthday: his mother, whenever she could, walks twelve miles to visit the son separated from her by slavery and walks twelve miles back to the neighboring plantation before sunrise; his aunt Esther’s beating by her master because she had visited her beau; Demby, a slave who is frequently beaten by the overseer, is again whipped by him, yet Demby manages to break away, runs into the creek, refuses to come out of the water, and is shot to death; a slave girl who sleeps while her mistress’s baby cries is murdered by the irate mistress; and Douglass realizes education is the pathway from slavery to freedom after his master becomes enraged when he discovers his wife teaching young Douglass to read. The most significant incident in part 1 is Douglass’s self-empowerment after a two-hour battle with Covey, the infamous slave breaker; Douglass boldly announces that while society views him as a slave, he no longer considers himself one. Consequently, he plans his escape, and when it is unsuccessful, he remains obdurate as he plans another escape. Part 1 ends with Douglass fleeing slavery on September 3, 1838.
Part 2 begins with Douglass’s journey to freedom. As with Douglass’s years spent as a slave, Life and Times of Frederick Douglass divulges more details about Douglass’s career as an abolitionist than do Narrativeof the Life of Frederick Douglass and My Bondage and My Freedom. Part 2 of Life and Times of Frederick Douglass highlights Douglass’s antislavery activities before and after his freedom is purchased. Among Douglass’s endeavors as an abolitionist recounted in the third autobiography are his oratories at antislavery rallies and conventions, a two-year lecture tour in England and Ireland, founding of North Star and Douglass’ Monthly, his association with other well-known African American and white abolitionists, and using his Rochester, New York, printing shop as a haven for fugitive slaves. Part 2 also reveals Douglass’s activities during the Civil War, including his recruitment of African American soldiers for the Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth Colored Regiments as well as Douglass’s meeting with President Abraham Lincoln at the White House on behalf of the African American troops. In part 2, Douglass mentions that his house was destroyed by fire, but arguably the most interesting event in this section is Douglass’s encounter with his former master’s granddaughter, who had read Douglass’s Narrativeof the Life of Frederick Douglass and freed all of her slaves when they became of age. Parts 2 and 3 highlight Douglass’s presidential appointments. Part 3 also details Douglass’s European tour. The final paragraph of Life and Times of Frederick Douglass finds Douglass summarizing his life, expressing his gratitude, believing that he did not accomplish great things, and stating that his life was not in vain.
Bibliography
Andrews, William L., ed. Critical Essays on Frederick Douglass. Boston: G. K. Hall, 1991.
Chander, Harish. “Frederick Douglass.” In African American Autobiographers: A Sourcebook, edited by Emmanuel S. Nelson. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 2002.
Gass, T. Anthony. “Frederick Douglass.” In Notable Black American Men, edited by Jessie Carney Smith. Detroit: Gale, 1999.
Huggins, Nathan I. Slave and Citizen: The Life of Frederick Douglass. Boston: Little, Brown, 1980.
McFeely, William S. Frederick Douglass. New York: W. W. Norton, 1991.
Preston, Dickson J. Young Frederick Douglass: The Maryland Years. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1980.
Quarles, Benjamin. Frederick Douglass. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 1968.