Frederick Douglass with His Grandson Joseph Douglass

1894

Joseph Henry Douglass pursued music in a world shaped by his grandfather’s fight for freedom.

Frederick Douglass was born enslaved in 1818 and escaped enslavement in 1838. As one of the nation’s most prominent abolitionists, Douglass dedicated his life to freedom, democracy, equality, and justice.

As the most photographed person of the 19th century, Douglass used photography to challenge stereotypes, promote freedom, and assert universal humanity. This image of Douglass in his later years shows him with his grandson Joseph Henry Douglass, a classically trained violinist. Both as free men.