Frederick Douglas

[Mr. Wynand]

I haven't studied him much, but he seems like someone that shouldn't be overlooked. I don't think he's ever said anything philosophically inconsistent, (except about God, but c'mon everyone did back then). And He was a runaway slave that educated himself. Sounds like an Ayn Rand hero. What do you think?

[Grames]

Inspiring Heroes: Great Leaders--Frederick Douglass (CD)

By Debi Ghate

Subtitle: From Chattelhood to Manhood, From Slave to Intellectual Leader

The compelling and inspiring story of Frederick Douglass, a leading intellectual in the anti-slavery movement, is revealed in this lecture. Born a slave, Douglass managed to educate himself, grasp the principles and ideas that allowed slavery to succeed in America, identified the way to liberate himself at a very early age and not only freed himself but helped others along the way. He set an ambitious goal of seeing American slavery abolished in his lifetime—and he saw his goal accomplished. A man committed to acting on principle, Douglass's courage, intellectual honesty and independence propelled him from slave to orator, editor and intellectual leader. In spite of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, including violent opposition and deep-seated racial prejudice from every quarter, Douglass succeeded. His benevolent, persistent, goal-directed and reasoned approach to life will provide inspiration to anyone who understands that a culture can be improved by the advocacy of the right ideas.

(Audio CD; 2-CD set; 94 min., with Q & A)

[softwareNerd]

Check these out on Librivox:

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

My Escape from Slavery by Frederick Douglass (1818-1895)