He was born frederick augustus washington bailey in talbot county, maryland, in approximately 1818. he describes his early life as one typical of the american slave. he witnessed violent beatings of all slaves, regardless of their age or sex. when he was just seven years old, douglass was sent to work for hugh auld, a ship carpenter, in baltimore. living in the city, instead of at the plantation, awarded douglass certain freedoms. most importantly, auld’s wife taught douglass to read and write despite a ban on teaching slaves to read and write, until auld eventually forbade it.

even at a young age, douglass understood the value of education and knowledge. over the course of his time in baltimore, he succeeded in learning by whatever means necessary. sometimes he paid hungry white children in pieces of bread for reading lessons.

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