My Bondage and My Freedom

My Bondage and My Freedom … By Frederick Douglass; Introduction by Dr. James M’Cune Smith
Frederick Douglass
Miller, Orton & Mulligan, 1855
Sevier Collection
Vanderbilt University Special Collections

Published in 1855, My Bondage and My Freedom is the second of Frederick Douglass’s three autobiographies.  It is a profoundly significant work in the history of American literature and the abolitionist movement.  The book provides a firsthand account of the brutal realities of slavery and the importance of self-education and empowerment.  As one of the most influential African American voices of the 19th century, Douglass’s writings have had an enduring impact on American literature, history, and the struggle for civil rights.