Anna Murray Douglass

Anna Murray Douglass was an African American abolitionist and a vital, though often underrecognized, figure in the struggle for freedom and equality in 19th-century America. Born free in Denton, Maryland, in 1813 to formerly enslaved parents, Anna grew up in a large family of thirteen children. Despite the limitations imposed on free Black people at the time, she worked as a domestic servant and laundress, eventually saving enough money to support others—including one man who would become a towering figure in American history: Frederick Douglass.

In 1838, Anna played a crucial role in Frederick Douglass’s escape from slavery. Using money she had saved and giving him sailor’s clothing, Anna helped Frederick flee from Baltimore to New York City, where they reunited and soon married. The couple settled in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and later moved to Rochester, New York. Together, they raised five children: Rosetta, Lewis, Frederick Jr., Charles, and Annie (who died young).

While Frederick rose to fame as an orator and writer, Anna maintained the household and raised their children, often supporting her husband's activism behind the scenes. She housed countless freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad and hosted abolitionist meetings in their home. Though she never sought the spotlight, Anna's labor and sacrifices made her husband’s work possible.

Anna Murray Douglass was known for her strength, resilience, and deep commitment to her family and community. She passed away in 1882 after a long illness, having lived a life of quiet yet profound impact.

Today, she is increasingly recognized as a key figure in the abolitionist movement and a symbol of the crucial, often invisible, work done by Black women in the fight for justice.