Frederick Douglass

Born enslaved, taught himself to read against the law; escapes; becomes one of the most famous orators of the era; writes Narrative; argues against romantic-racism, against literal slavery, against the 4th of July for the slave; meets Lincoln; outlives the war and continues pressing. Restoration path: Learn to read before you can be free; the testimony of the escape itself becomes the weapon. Markers: enslaved from birth; teaches self to read; escapes; becomes public witness; outlives the cause and keeps pressing — Frederick Douglass, American, 1818-1895 (History)