It was difficult to research the financial life of Frederick Douglass because he was obviously well known for things far more important than his money. While people may think he is well known today, he was far more famous during his lifetime.

If how much he was photographed counts for anything, he was the most photographed American of the 1800s – photographed 160 times (more than any president).

At one time a licensed preacher, he is most famous as an orator, abolitionist, and overall social reformer. I first heard about him in 8th grade when our entire class read the autobiographical account of his escape from slavery. (You can read it online for free here if interested.)

The most revealing financial stories shared below revolve around his relationship with the English people. Less polarized than his American counterparts, their amazing moral and financial support for his cause aided Douglass in the quest for racial justice. In addition, he resourcefully used his early earnings to alter his life, escape slavery, and change the conscience of millions of Americans.

“We hold woman to be justly entitled to all we claim for man.” – Frederick Douglass

  • Douglass attended the Seneca Falls Convention (the first women’s rights convention held in 1848).
  • He was the first African American nominated for Vice President (running with Victoria Woodhull, the first woman to work on Wall Street).
  • Mark Twain was one of his friends.
  • Douglass tried to escape from slavery twice before he succeeded with help of his eventual wife – Anna Murray.
  • He escaped disguised as a sailor.
  • When Anna died, he married a feminist named Helen Pitts who was white and 20 years younger than him. This caused controversy amongst close family members (like his children) and broader society.
  • In 1845, he published The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. It sold 5,000 copies in the first four months. Not only a best seller in the United States, it was also published in many European languages.
  • His estimated net worth when he died was between $100,000 and $200,000 (between 3 million and 4 million today).

Frederick Douglass’ First Creative Dollar

  • The Amount: 50 cents (Worth around $13.93 in today’s money)
  • The Project: Polishing shoes

The Back Story

In fact, he bought a copy of The Columbian Orator for 50 cents – a book used by the neighborhood white children in school. He prized this book and even took it with him as one of his few posessions when he escaped from slavery.

Reading: Pass it On

For a time, Douglass taught other slaves how to read the New Testament. Forty plus slaves started attending Douglass’ weekly church services. White slave holder William Freeland didn’t mind, but other local slaveholders would eventually come with rocks and clubs to beat the crowd.

“These dear souls came not to Sabbath school because it was popular to do so, nor did I teach them because it was reputable to be thus engaged. Every moment they spent in that school, they were liable to be taken up, and given thirty-nine lashes. They came because they wished to learn. Their minds had been starved by their cruel masters. They had been shut up in mental darkness. . . . The work of instructing my dear fellow-slaves was the sweetest engagement with which I was ever blessed.” – Frederick Douglass

Money Earned, Money Taken, and Rage – Frederick Douglass

European Crowdfunding and Buying Freedom

After escaping from slavery and publishing his autobiography at the urging of a friend, Douglass went to Liverpool to avoid recapture. Bouncing between Ireland and Britain for two years, he spoke to large crowds about slavery in America. Supporters such as Anna and Ellen Richarson took it upon themselves to raise money to purchase his freedom.

– Walter Lowrie, an abolitionist middle man in negotiations allowing Frederick Douglass return to the US a free man

$711.66 = $23,696.34 in Today’s Money

 

What are your thoughts about the financial life of Frederick Douglass? Were you surprised by the important role played by his British and Irish supporters?

 

Disclaimer: As always, if you need psychological or financial advice please seek a professional for your specific situation.
Posted in First Creative Dollar
Michelle Ptacek in a brown sweater smiles in front of a framed floral picture and globe. Her head is slightly tilted away from camera.
Michelle Ptacek - Educator, Writer, Presenter
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