Frederick Douglass’ 200th birth year

Listen 28:54

Guest: David Blight

Frederick Douglass is an iconic American figure. Today marks his 200th birth year. Born a slave in 1818 to his enslaved mother and an unknown white father, Douglass escaped to the North and became a world-renowned abolitionist. He wrote three autobiographies, edited an influential black newspaper and delivered speeches about slavery, racism and politics. DAVID BLIGHT, American history professor at Yale University, joins us to discuss Douglass’ life, work and legacy.

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal