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Frederick Douglass's only work of fiction--an imaginative retelling of the most successful slave revolt in American history--accompanied by an interpretive introduction, notes, and a selection of related writings by Douglass and others

Famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass based his only fictional work on the gripping true story of the biggest slave rebellion in U.S. history. The Heroic Slave was inspired by a courageous uprising led by Madison Washington in 1841. Washington rallied 18 of the 135 slaves... Read Full Overview

The Heroic Slave, written by Frederick Douglass (ca. 1818-1895) at the behest of the Rochester Ladies' Anti-Slavery Society and published in 1853, brings to life one of our greatest American heroes, Madison Washington, the leader of the successful 1841 slave revolt on board the... Read Full Overview

The Heroic Slave was Frederick Douglass' only piece of fiction. He wrote it in response to the Rochester Ladies' Anti-Slavery Society's request for a submission to be included in their anthology Autographs for Freedom. The Heroic Slave is a retelling of an actual rebellion led... Read Full Overview

The Heroic Slave (1852) is a novella by Frederick Douglass. Although he is more frequently recognized as prominent orator and autobiographer who spearheaded the American abolitionist movement, Douglass published one work of fiction in his lifetime. Inspired by the 1841... Read Full Overview

Frederick Douglass (born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, c. February 1818 - February 20, 1895) was an African-American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman. After escaping from slavery, he became a leader of the abolitionist movement, gaining note... Read Full Overview

"Liberty I will have, or die in the attempt to gain it... I have nothing to lose. If I am caught, I shall only be a slave. If I am shot, I shall only lose a life which is a burden and a curse. If I get clear, liberty, the inalienable birth-right of every man, precious and... Read Full Overview

The Heroic Slave was Frederick Douglass' only piece of fiction. He wrote it in response to the Rochester Ladies' Anti-Slavery Society's request for a submission to be included in their anthology Autographs for Freedom. The Heroic Slave is a retelling of an actual rebellion led... Read Full Overview

The Heroic Slave was Frederick Douglass' only piece of fiction. He wrote it in response to the Rochester Ladies' Anti-Slavery Society's request for a submission to be included in their anthology Autographs for Freedom. The Heroic Slave is a retelling of an actual rebellion led... Read Full Overview

The Heroic Slave (1852) is a novella by Frederick Douglass. Although he is more frequently recognized as prominent orator and autobiographer who spearheaded the American abolitionist movement, Douglass published one work of fiction in his lifetime. Inspired by the 1841... Read Full Overview

Frederick Douglass's classic short work.

"The Heroic Slave" from Frederick Douglass. American abolitionist, editor, orator, author, statesman and reformer (1818-1895).

Frederick Douglass based this story on the real-life heroism of Madison Washington, who led the largest successful slave revolt in U.S. history in 1841. His story is told through the eyes and words of two white men. First, Mr. Listwell from Ohio sees Madison enslaved in Virginia,... Read Full Overview