AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF FOREMOST SPOKESMAN FOR AMERICAN BLACKS

This is ex-slave Frederick Douglass’ second autobiography. First published in 1855—at the height of Douglass’ involvement in the abolitionist movement—his narrative describes the steps that had led him to the forefront of the struggle for racial justice. It was written after 10 years of reflection following his legal emancipation in 1846 and his break with his mentor, William Lloyd Garrison, that catapulted Douglass into the international spotlight as the foremost spokesman for American blacks, both freed and slave.

Written during his celebrated career as a newspaper editor and speaker, My Bondage and My Freedom reveals that the author of the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, written in 1845, has grown more mature, forceful, analytical, and complex, with a deepened commitment to the fight for equal rights and liberties. This important history of the state of race relations and the politics of slavery leading up to the American Civil War has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

This Original Classic Edition contains an index to make it easier to search for people, places, and terms of interest.