Former slave impassioned abolitionist brilliant writer newspaper editor and eloquent orator whose speeches fired the abolitionist cause Frederick Douglass (18181895) led an astounding life. Physical abuse deprivation and tragedy plagued his early years yet through sheer force of character he was able to overcome these obstacles to become a leading spokesman for his people. In this the first and most frequently read of his three autobiographies Douglass provides graphic descriptions of his childhood and horrifying experiences as a slave as well as a harrowing record of his dramatic escape to the North and eventual freedom.