Essential Readings
- Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass (1845) — His first autobiography, a masterpiece of American literature
- My Bondage and My Freedom (1855) — A more mature reflection on slavery and freedom
- Life and Times of Frederick Douglass (1881) — His comprehensive autobiography
Famous Speeches
- "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" (1852) — His most famous oration
- "Self-Made Men" (1859) — On perseverance and self-determination
- "The Mission of the War" (1864) — On the purpose of the Civil War
For Educators
We are developing curriculum guides, discussion questions, and multimedia resources for K-12 and higher education. Contact us to learn more about our educational programming.