Frederick Douglass was born enslaved in February 1818, but from this most humble ofbeginnings, he rose to become a world-famous orator, newspaper editor, and champion of therights of women and African Americans. He not only survived slavery to live in freedom but alsobecame an outspoken critic of the institution and an active participant in the U.S. politicalsystem. Douglass advised presidents of the United States and formally represented his country in thediplomatic corps. He was the most prominent African American activist of the nineteenth century, andhe left a treasure trove of documentary evidence detailing his life in slavery and achievements infreedom. This volume gathers and interprets valuable selections from a variety of Douglass'swritings, including speeches, editorials, correspondence, and autobiographies.