... slave, Frederick Douglas, taught himself literacy while growing up to become one of the greatest writers and speakers. Frederick Douglas was born on a southern plantation and was illegally taught to read by the wife of his master. Once his master learned of these actions, he banned Douglas from reading. While on his own as a boy, Douglas purchased a book and studied its speeches ... the Civil War Frederick Douglas said, "the Declaration of Independence is no longer a lie." The issued this statement because he believed that the blacks had been given the rights that every human being dese...

• Word Count: 885
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School