Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass, born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, was arguably the most important African American leader of the 19th century. A man of formidable intellect and even more formidable oratorical skills, he escaped slavery to become a towering figure in the abolitionist movement, and a vocal advocate for women's suffrage. Frankly, the man was so busy shattering expectations, he probably didn't have time to even think about converting.

Douglass's autobiography,