Frederick Douglass was a prominent advocate for African American rights in the 19th century through his powerful writing and oratory. Born into slavery, he escaped and became an influential voice for abolition and equality. His autobiographies, particularly *Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass*, provided firsthand accounts of the brutality of slavery, helping to shift public opinion. Douglass's speeches and writings emphasized the importance of civil rights, education, and social justice, making him a key figure in the fight for racial equality in America.