Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass, an American slave (Title Page)
Date
Credits
- Frederick Douglass Author
- designer unknown 84 Designer
Publishers
Media
- paper 1258
Techniques
- printing 412
The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave was first published in 1845, amid the growing abolitionist movement in the United States. Douglass, a formerly enslaved African American, authored the memoir to expose the brutal realities of slavery, detailing his personal experiences and escape. Published by the Anti-Slavery Office in Boston, it became one of the most influential texts in the fight against slavery.
The original title page seen here, featured an engraving of Douglass, a striking and dignified image that challenged contemporary racial stereotypes by presenting him as an intellectual and human being, rather than as property. This visual representation, alongside his eloquent writing, played a key role in reshaping public perceptions of African Americans, providing powerful testimony against slavery, and fueling abolitionist activism, ultimately influencing the path of American history towards emancipation.
