Timeline | American Writers Museum Exhibits

Frederick Douglass is born into slavery in Talbot County, Maryland

After learning the alphabet from his mistress, Douglass became determined to learn how to read and write

Douglass escapes from slavery, aided in part by his future wife, Anne Murray

Douglass becomes a spokesperson for the Antislavery Society, which fought not only for an end to slavery, but also for women’s rights.

Publishes groundbreaking Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, American Slave, the first of his three bestselling memoirs.

Establishes The North Star, the first of his several papers.

Attends the women’s rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York

Meets with President Abraham Lincoln to advocate for equal treatment African-American soldiers fighting in the Civil War.

Moves to Washington, D.C. after his house in Rochester, New York is destroyed by fire (arson is suspected).

Is appointed U.S. Marshal of the District of Columbia.

Begins two-year post as Minister-Resident and Consul-General to Haiti.

Spends a year in Chicago, representing Haiti at the World’s Columbian Exposition and protesting African-American exclusion at the fair.

Dies after speaking at a women’s rights rally in Washington, D.C.

The Life of Frederick Douglass