Lewis H. Douglass profiled in William Wells Brown’s 1874, “The Rising Son: Or, The Antecedents and Advancement of the Colored Race”

Courtesy of National Park Service

LEWIS H. DOUGLASS

The senior editor of the “New National Era” is the eldest son of Frederick Douglass, and inherits a large share of the father’s abilities. He was born in Massachusetts, has a liberal education, is a practical printer, received excellent training in the office of “The North Star,” at Rochester, New York, and is well calculated to conduct a newspaper. Mr. Douglass distinguished himself at the attack on Fort Wagner, where the lamented Colonel Robert G. Shaw fell. His being the first to ascend the defences surrounding the fort, and his exclamation of “Come, boys, we’ll fight for God and Governor Andrew,” was a the time commented upon by the press of Europe as well as of our own country.

Mr. Douglass is an active, energetic man, deeply alive to every interest of his race, uncompromising in his adherence to principle, and is a valuable citizen in any community. He has held several important positions in Washington, where his influence is great. He is a good writer, well informed, and interesting in conversation. In asserting his rights against the pr0scriptive combinations of the printers of Washington, Mr. Douglass was more than a match or his would-be superiors. As a citizen, he is highly respected, and is regarded as one of the leading men of the district. He is of medium size, a little darker in complexion than his father, has a manly walk, gentlemanly in his manners, intellectual countenance, and reliable in his business dealings. His paper, the “New National Era,” is well conducted, and should received the patronage of our people throughout the country.

Source:

Brown, William Wells. The Rising Son: Or, The Antecedents and Advancement of the Colored Race. A.G. Brown & Company, 1874, p. 543 – 544.

Get your free copy of “Frederick Douglass in Washington, D.C.” at THEARC; Thursday, Nov. 7th, 10 AM

Do you want your own free copy of Frederick Douglass in Washington, D.C.: The Lion of Anacostia? The first twenty-five people to come to THEARC this Thursday, November 7th at 10:00 A.M. for a conversation with Frederick Douglass (animatron) and John Muller with get a signed copy!

THEARC
1901 Mississippi Ave, SE
Washington, DC 20020

Metro: Southern Avenue (Green Line)

Fore more information call the Bellevue Branch at (202) 520-7446. DC Reads events continue throughout the city for another week with the finale and reception at MLK Library at 7pm on November 14th.