The Beginning
Frederick Douglass lived with his grandmother in Talbot County Maryland. At the age of six he was selected to take care of the daughter of the plantation owner, Edward Lloyd, who also may have been his own father. Douglass, having been born a slave, witnessed horrible beatings of both men and women while on the plantation. It wasn't until after the death of his master that he would learn to develop the skills that made him a legend. He was initially transported to serve Lucretia Auld who then sent him to her brother in law Hugh Auld. It was Hugh's wife Sophia that would teach Douglass how to write in a direct violation against the rule that no slaves were allowed to learn. He was taught the alphabet by age 12 by Sophia but Hugh then Forbade her to teach him. Douglass, being a driven person, continued to learn anyway from white children in the neighborhood exchanging food for lessons.
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