Fred'k Douglass

The “great colored orator” passes away and the Planet praises him for his positive contributions to the black community by the Planet.

Frederick Douglass, the great colored orator and statesman, died suddenly Wednesday, 20th inst., at 7 P. M. of heart disease. He was in excellent health up to that time, and his sudden demise was wholly unexpected. He was unquestionably by the best known colored man in the world.
He was born in Tuckahoe, near Eastern Talbot, Co. Md., in February 1817, and was accordingly 78 years of age.
He was one of the greatest Antislavery leaders, and it was due to his fervid and unpassioned oratory that the sentiment against the crowning infamy of the age was formed.
He had lectured in Europe and the British Isles.
He often referred to the time he was under indictment for the participating in the John Brown raid in 1859, a requisition being made by Gov. Wise upon Government of Michigan.
In 1871, he was appointed assistant Secretary to the commission to San Domingo.
He was appointed on the Territorial Council of the District of Columbia.
In 1876, he was appointed U. S. Marshal for the District of Columbia.
He was appointed by President Harrison, Minister Plenipotentiary to Haiti.
At the time of his death, he was living in retirement at Cedar Hill Cottage, Anacostia, D. C.

“Fred'k Douglass,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed February 19, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1361.