| Years |
Age |
Events |
| 1818 |
0 |
Born in Talbot County, Maryland, to Harriet Bailey and an unknown father, likely a white man. |
| 1820 |
2 |
Mother dies, raised by grandmother until sent to work for owners. |
| 1824 |
6 |
Sent to work for James W. Lloyd in Wye House, Talbot County. |
| 1826 |
8 |
Sent to work for Edward Cox, a poor white farmer, facing harsh conditions. |
| 1827 |
9 |
Returns to Aaron Anthony’s estate, his original owner’s property. |
| 1828 |
10 |
Sent to work for Thomas Auld in St. Michael’s, Maryland, continuing enslavement. |
| 1833 |
15 |
Sold to Thomas Auld’s brother, Hugh Auld, in Fell’s Point, Baltimore, learning to read. |
| 1834 |
16 |
Sent back to Thomas Auld in St. Michael’s, facing increased labor demands. |
| 1835 |
17 |
Severely beaten by Edward Covey, a slave breaker, marking a low point. |
| 1836 |
18 |
Escapes from Covey, returns to Thomas Auld, begins planning escape. |
| 1837 |
19 |
Hired out to William Freeland, meets other enslaved people, plans escape. |
| 1838 |
20 |
Escapes to New York City, marries Anna Murray, moves to New Bedford, Massachusetts, changes name to Frederick Douglass. |
| 1841 |
23 |
Speaks at an abolitionist meeting in Nantucket, begins career as an abolitionist speaker. |
| 1845 |
27 |
Publishes “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave,” gaining fame. |
| 1845-1847 |
27 |
Tours Europe, raises money for abolitionist cause, speaks in England, Ireland, and Scotland. |
| 1847 |
29 |
Returns to the US, founds “The North Star” newspaper in Rochester, New York, advocating freedom. |
| 1851 |
33 |
Moves to Rochester, New York, continues publishing, supports fugitive slaves. |
| 1855 |
37 |
Publishes “My Bondage and My Freedom,” expanding on his life story and activism. |
| 1859 |
41 |
Hosts John Brown before his raid on Harpers Ferry, supports abolitionist actions. |
| 1860 |
42 |
Supports Abraham Lincoln’s presidential campaign, aligning with Republican anti-slavery stance. |
| 1861-1865 |
43 |
During the Civil War, advises President Lincoln on African American issues, recruits soldiers. |
| 1865 |
47 |
Attends Lincoln’s second inauguration, hears his speech, mourns his assassination. |
| 1866-1877 |
48 |
Active in the Republican Party, advocates for African American rights, holds various positions. |
| 1872 |
54 |
Nominated for Vice President by the Equal Rights Party, first African American on a national ticket. |
| 1877 |
59 |
Moves to Washington, D.C., continues advocacy, involved in Reconstruction politics. |
| 1881 |
63 |
Publishes “Life and Times of Frederick Douglass,” final autobiography, reflecting on life. |
| 1882 |
64 |
His first wife, Anna, dies, marking a personal loss. |
| 1884 |
66 |
Marries Helen Pitts, a white woman, causing controversy but symbolizing interracial unity. |
| 1889-1891 |
71 |
Serves as US Minister to Haiti, diplomatic role, advocating for Haitian rights. |
| 1892 |
74 |
His home in Washington, D.C., is destroyed by fire, loses personal belongings. |
| 1895 |
77 |
Dies on February 20 in Washington, D.C., leaving a legacy in abolition and civil rights. |
