Fredrick Douglass was (born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, c. February 1818 and died February 20, 1895. Douglass was an African-American social reformer, orator, and writer. After escaping from slavery, became a leader of the abolitionist movement, becoming known for his dazzling rhetoric and insightful anti-slavery writings. For those who think that slaves lacked the intellectual capacity to function as independent American citizens, he remained as a living counterexample to many Northerners found it difficult to believe that such a great orator had been a slave. Douglas wrote numerous autobiographies, powerfully recounting his experiences of slavery in his 1845 autobiography, An Account of the Life of Fredrick Douglass, an American Slave, which proved significant in his support of abolition, Douglass wrote two more autobiographies, his last autobiography, The Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, which was published in 1881 covering events during and after the Civil War. After the Civil War, Douglass remained active in the United States' struggle to reach its potential as a "land of the free." Douglass also actively strengthened women's suffrage. Douglass was the first African American nominated for vice president of the United States as vice president to Victoria Woodhull on the unrealistic and small ticket of the Equal Rights Party without her consent. Douglas firmly believed in the equality of all people, whether black, women, Native Americans, or even recent immigrants. Douglas's narrative is important in American history because it is a primary source, this narrative is truly layered and this narrative led to play a role in abolitionism. Douglas does not memorize...... middle of paper......ess , Mrs. Sophia Auld, begins as a very kind woman but eventually becomes cruel at the behest of her husband, Mr. Auld. At first, Douglass learns the alphabet and learns to write small words from his mistress, but later Mr. Auld objects and states that if slaves could be able to read and write, they would not be able to adapt to being one slave. , and will become uncontrollable and miserable. Noticing Mr. Auld's objection to the slave's ability to read and write, Douglass realizes the importance of reading and writing. Douglass even hopes for a better future and sees the possibility that reading and writing skills can help him. Douglass takes it upon himself to learn to read and write everything he can, but since he knew his abilities, this new skill bothers him. Later Douglass understands the word abolition and one day he gets the idea to escape to the North.