From the Internet Archive. Celebrating the Life of Frederick Douglass https://mailchi.mp/archive.org/mnthlyfreddoug While Frederick Douglass is best known for his writings on anti-slavery, he was also an outspoken advocate for literacy and its ability to empower. Born into slavery in 1818 and barred from educational resources, Frederick Douglass taught himself to read and write largely through his own perseverance and ingenuity. In his 1845 autobiography Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Douglass describes his realization that reading and writing were essential to his emancipation. Put succinctly in his own words, “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” ... Frederick Douglass died in 1895 so all of his work is in the public domain.