A d i s c u s s i o n G u i d e

Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass

The Story Behind an American Friendship
by Russell Freedman

Discussion Guide

The story begins with Frederick Douglass going to the

White House without an appointment to see President
Lincoln. Although there were other officials and citizens
present, the author notes: “Douglass was the only black
man among them” (p. 1). Considering the year is 1863,
when most black people in America are still enslaved
and those who are free do not share the rights of white
citizens, what does this action reveal about Douglass’s
personality and character?

What did Douglass and Lincoln share in their

backgrounds and experiences?

When Douglass is sent as a young boy to live in

Baltimore, his master’s sister-in-law tries to teach him
how to read, but her husband orders the lessons stopped.
Why was it considered dangerous to teach slaves how to
read? What would white people have to fear from literate
slaves?
978-0-547-38562-4 $18.99 Rnf. / $22.95 CAN
How did Douglass teach himself to read and write? How
About the Book was it similar to Lincoln’s own path to literacy?

From the author of Lincoln: A Photobiography comes In what ways was The Columbian Orator an important
a clear-sighted, carefully researched account of two and influential book to both Douglass and Lincoln?
surprisingly parallel lives and how they intersected
When Douglass stood up to Edward Covey’s brutality
at a pivotal time in U.S. history. Abraham Lincoln and
and fought back, why didn’t Covey subject Douglass to
Frederick Douglass were both self-taught, both great
the harsher punishment that would be expected for a
readers and believers in the importance of literacy,
rebellious slave?
both men born poor who by their own efforts reached
positions of power and prominence—Lincoln as Why is Douglass surprised and astonished at what
president of the United States and Douglass as the happens after he is captured in his first escape attempt?
most famous and influential African American of his What would you expect to happen to a slave who tried to
time. Though their meetings were few and brief, their escape?
exchange of ideas helped to end the Civil War, reunite
the nation, and abolish slavery. What agreement does Douglass make with Master Hugh
that gives him his first taste of what it would be like to
live as a free man?
Pre-Reading Activity
Look at the illustration on the cover to the sheet music of
Freedman discusses several important events in the
“The Fugitive’s Song” (p. 18). How does the depiction of
book of which students may have little or no knowledge.
Douglass’s escape differ from reality? Why do you think
Assign small groups of students to research and prepare
the song publisher chose to depict Douglass’s escape this
a Power Point presentation for the class on one of the
way?
following topics: the Missouri Compromise, the Kansas-
Nebraska Act, the Dred Scott decision, the Lincoln-
Douglass debates, and the Harpers Ferry raid.

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 A d i s c u s s i o n G u i d e
Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass
The Story Behind an American Friendship
by Russell Freedman

What expressions of racism did Douglass experience Considering the commonly held prejudices of the time,
when he settled with his wife, Anna, in New Bedford, what was so unusual about the way Lincoln treated
Massachusetts? Douglass?

How did Douglass find his calling as an orator? Why did so In what ways do you think the friendship between
many people who attended Douglass’s lectures find it hard Douglass and Lincoln symbolized a new beginning for the
to believe that he had been a slave? United States?

Why did Douglass flee to the British Isles when his Narrative
was published? How did Douglass become a legally free
man?
Freedman writes that as a young man, Lincoln “was often
rented out by his father to work for neighboring settlers”
(p. 35). How was this similar to Douglass’s experiences as a
slave?
In what ways was Lincoln’s journey in a flatboat down the
Mississippi to New Orleans a formative experience?
Why was Lincoln reluctant to embrace abolitionist issues as
a state representative?
What two events regarding slavery prompted Lincoln’s
reentry into politics and his campaign against Stephen
Douglas for a U.S. Senate seat? Why was Lincoln alarmed
over these two developments?
How did Stephen Douglas use Frederick Douglass to attack
Lincoln in the Senate campaign?
What was Douglass’s connection to the militant abolitionist
John Brown and the raid on the Harpers Ferry arsenal? Why
was a warrant issued for Douglass’s arrest?
Post-Reading Activities
Encourage students to explore the collection of digital
resources on Frederick Douglass compiled by the Library
of Congress at www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/douglass.
Assign pairs or small groups of students to research
and prepare a Power Point presentation for the class on
a topic related to the abolition movement. The Library
of Congress’s African-American Mosaic, www.loc.gov/
exhibits/african/intro.html, is a good place to begin.
Suggest that students read and learn more about the
Emancipation Proclamation at the National Archives site,
www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/
emancipation_proclamation.
When Lincoln authorized the enlistment of black soldiers
in the Union Army, two of Douglass’s sons joined the
Fifty-Fourth Massachusetts Regiment. Have students use
print and electronic resources to research information on
the unit and share their findings.

What was it about Lincoln’s position on the war and

enlisting black soldiers that disappointed Douglass?

What changed Douglass’s attitude toward Lincoln and made

him an admirer of the president?

When Douglass went to the White House to meet with

Lincoln, what surprising reception did he receive? What
impressions did each man have of the other after meeting?

How did Lincoln’s views on slavery evolve over time,

from the beginning of his political career and throughout
his presidency up to the time of his assassination? What
influence do you think Douglass had on Lincoln’s evolving
views?

Clarion Books • Houghton Mifflin Harcourt • www.hmhbooks.com

 A d i s c u s s i o n G u i d e
Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass
The Story Behind an American Friendship
by Russell Freedman

Recommended Further Reading on Lincoln, About the Author

Douglass, and Slavery
Russell Freedman has won nearly every award given to
Fiction writers of nonfiction for children, including the Newbery
Medal for Lincoln: A Photobiography, several Newbery
Anderson, Laurie Halse. Chains.
Honors, the Sibert Medal, the Orbis Pictus Award, the
Simon & Schuster, 2008.
Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder
Bradley, Kimberly Brubaker. Jefferson’s Sons. Award for Lifetime Achievement, the May Hill Arbuthnot
Dial, 2011. Honor Lecture Award, and a National Humanities Medal.
Formerly a journalist and Korean War veteran who served
Lester, Julius. Day of Tears. Hyperion, 2005. with the Second Infantry Division, Mr. Freedman is the
author of some fifty books for young readers. He lives in
Moses, Shelia P. I, Dred Scott: A Fictional Slave
New York City and travels widely to do the research for
Narrative Based on the Life and Legal his books.

Precedent of Dred Scott. Illus. Bonnie Christensen.

McElderry, 2005.

Paulsen, Gary. Nightjohn. Delacorte, 1993.

Nonfiction

Burchard, Peter. Lincoln and Slavery.

Atheneum, 1999.

Freedman, Russell. Lincoln: A Photobiography.

Clarion, 1987.

Lester, Julius. To Be a Slave. Illus. Tom Feelings.

Dial, 1968.

Meltzer, Milton. Frederick Douglass: In His Own

Words. Illus. Stephen Alcorn. Harcourt, 1995.

—Lincoln in His Own Words. Illus. Stephen This guide was created by Edward T. Sullivan, a librarian
Alcorn. Harcourt, 1993. and author who has written many articles about and
reviews of children’s and young adult books. Visit his
website at www.sully-writer.com.

Clarion Books • Houghton Mifflin Harcourt • www.hmhbooks.com