Frederick Douglass, the Orator - Monroe County Library System

Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Monographs Collection
LIFE OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS. 19
Frederick Douglass was born at Tuckahoe, in
Talbot county, Maryland, in February, 1817.
The place was not distinguished either for the
fertility of the soil, the beauty of the surroundings,
or the thrift and intelligence of its inhabitants.
His mother was Harriet Bailey. Of his
father he has no knowledge. He lived with his
grandmother till he was five years of age, and
during that period saw his mother only a few
times. He was now taken to the home plantation
of Colonel Lloyd, about two miles from his
birthplace. Here, along with the other children,
he was placed in the care of Aunt Katy, whom
Mr. Douglass describes as a cruel and ill-natured
person.
At the age of ten he was sent to Baltimore to
live with Mr. Hugh Auld, whose wife, Mrs. Sophia
Auld, was his first teacher, and she continued her
instructions until objection was made to it by
her husband. Frederick, however, found other
means of accomplishing his desire. Having procured
a spelling book he learned to read through
the assistance of his white playmates whom he
met in the streets. When about thirteen years
of age he bought a book entitled the " Columbian
Orator," with money earned by blacking boots.
The speeches of Sheridan, Lord Chatham, William
Pitt, and Fox, which he read in this book,
increased his information and supply of words, en-