Frederick Douglass was born a slave in Maryland, but escaped to New York where he educated himself. From this he fought to end slavery within the United States in the decades prior to the Civil War.

As a brilliant speaker, Douglass soon became the most prominent speaker against slavery. In 1847 he began publishing an antislavery paper called the North Star.

Douglass convinced President Abraham Lincoln to accept Black soldiers during the Civil War. Douglass is still revered today for his contributions against racial injustice.