Watch: Becoming Frederick Douglass

BECOMING FREDERICK DOUGLASS

Discover how a man born into slavery in Maryland became one of the most influential voices for democracy in American history. Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Stanley Nelson explores the role abolitionist, orator, social reformer, and statesman Frederick Douglass played in securing the right to freedom and equality for African Americans

FILM CLIPS

YOUNG FREDERICK | 3m 54s

Young Frederick Douglass is sent to work in the overseer’s house where he learns to read, opening his eyes to the possibility of a life beyond slavery.

BATTLING THE SLAVE BREAKER | 3m 49s

The young, rebellious Douglass is sent to the brutal “slave breaker,” Edward Covey. Refusing to be broken, Douglass emerges even more determined to escape into freedom.

ANNA MURRAY | 4m 10s

Douglass meets Anna Murray, and together they plot his daring escape to the North with Douglass disguised as a seaman. Once in New York, they reunite and marry.

THE ABOLITIONISTS | 3m 1s

In Massachusetts, Douglass meets abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison and uses his brilliant oratorical skills to speak out against slavery—becoming the most famous Black man of his time.

THE NORTH STAR | 4m 14s

Douglass breaks away from his abolitionist mentor, William Lloyd Garrison, and starts the newspaper The North Star, an independent Black voice for abolition.

FREDERICK DOUGLASS AND THE PHOTOGRAPH | 2m 20s

One of the most photographed men of the 19th century, Douglass brilliantly uses the power of his image to challenge stereotypes of African Americans—a crucial step toward the abolition of slavery.

THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW | 3m 7s

The passage of the Fugitive Slave Law empowers the government — and everyday “slave catchers” — to recapture any previously enslaved people and return them to their former enslavers.

EXPLORE MORE

Becoming Douglass | 1:00

Stanley Nelson shares insight into telling the story of BECOMING FREDERICK DOUGLASS.

Courage - Strength - Legacy | :50

Stanley Nelson explains how the legacies of Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass shaped the past and impact current events.

Fighting for Freedom | :59

Stanley Nelson speaks to how he leads audiences to make connections between the past and present.