Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass.
Frederick Douglass
major
Also known as Frederick Douglass, Douglass, Frederick, Richard, Fred, Mr. Douglass
The narrator and protagonist, an enslaved man who escapes to freedom and becomes an abolitionist.
Edward Covey
major
Also known as Edward Covey, Mr. Covey, Covey, Mr. Edward Covey, Ned
A notorious slave breaker who brutally beats and dehumanizes Douglass.
Captain Thomas Auld
supporting
Also known as Captain Thomas Auld, Captain Auld, Thomas, Master Thomas Auld, Master Thomas
Douglass's master in St. Michael's, a cruel and hypocritical slaveholder.
Hugh Auld
supporting
Also known as Mr. Hugh Auld, Master Hugh, Hugh
Douglass's master in Baltimore who forbids his wife from teaching Douglass to read.
Austin Gore
supporting
Also known as Mr. Austin Gore, Mr. Gore
A cruel overseer on Colonel Lloyd's plantation who kills a slave named Demby.
Colonel Edward Lloyd
supporting
Also known as Colonel Lloyd, Lloyd, Colonel Edward Lloyd
Wealthy plantation owner and Douglass's first master's father-in-law.
Aunt Hester
supporting
Also known as Aunt Hester
Douglass's aunt who is brutally whipped by Captain Anthony, a formative trauma for Douglass.
Henry Bailey
supporting
Also known as Henry Bailey, Henry, the noble Henry
A fellow slave and friend of Douglass who participates in the Sabbath school.
William Freeland
supporting
Also known as Mr. William Freeland, Mr. Freeland, Freeland, Master William, William Freeland
A relatively kind master who hires Douglass and allows him to teach other slaves.
Sandy Jenkins
supporting
Also known as Sandy Jenkins, Sandy
A slave who gives Douglass a magical root for protection against Covey.
Demby
minor
Also known as Demby, poor Demby
A slave shot and killed by overseer Austin Gore for refusing to come out of a creek.
Lucretia Auld
minor
Also known as Lucretia, Mrs. Lucretia Auld, Mrs. Lucretia, Mrs. Auld
Captain Thomas Auld's first wife who shows some kindness to Douglass as a child.
Sophia Auld
minor
Also known as Mrs. Auld, Mrs. Hugh Auld
Hugh Auld's wife who initially teaches Douglass the alphabet but is forced to stop.
David Ruggles
minor
Also known as Mr. David Ruggles, Mr. Ruggles
Abolitionist who helps Douglass in New Bedford after his escape.
Nathan Johnson
minor
Also known as Mr. Nathan Johnson, Mr. Johnson, Johnson
A free black man who welcomes Douglass in New Bedford and helps him find work.
William Hamilton
minor
Also known as Mr. William Hamilton, Master William Hamilton, Mr. Hamilton, William Hamilton, Master William
A master who hires Douglass and treats him relatively well.
Thomas Hamilton
minor
Also known as Mr. Thomas Hamilton, Mr. Hamilton, Thomas, Master Thomas
A master who hires Douglass and is involved in the slave trade.
Thomas Lowe
minor
Also known as Mr. Thomas Lowe, Master Thomas, Tom
A master who hires Douglass and is known for his cruelty.
Mr. Severe
minor
Also known as Mr. Severe
A cruel overseer on Colonel Lloyd's plantation who whips slaves frequently.
Mr. Hopkins
minor
Also known as a Mr. Hopkins, IV Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Hopkins
An overseer on Colonel Lloyd's plantation who is less cruel than Mr. Severe.
William Gardner
minor
Also known as Mr. William Gardner, Mr. Gardner
A master who hires Douglass and is known for his harshness.
John Harris
minor
Also known as John Harris, John
A fellow slave who participates in the Sabbath school with Douglass.
Henry Harris
minor
Also known as Henry Harris, Henry
A fellow slave who participates in the Sabbath school with Douglass.
Andrew Auld
minor
Also known as Andrew, Master Andrew
Captain Thomas Auld's brother, a slaveholder.
Betsey Bailey
minor
Also known as Betsey Bailey, Bailey, Eliza
Douglass's grandmother, who cares for him as a young child.
Barney
minor
Also known as Barney, old Barney
An elderly slave on Colonel Lloyd's plantation.
Betsy Freeland
minor
Also known as Betsy Freeland
A slave woman on Freeland's farm who is kind to Douglass.
William Hughes
minor
Also known as William Hughes, Hughes
A slave who participates in the Sabbath school.
Samuel Harrison
minor
Also known as Mr. Samuel Harrison, Sam
A slave who participates in the Sabbath school.
Wendell Phillips
minor
Also known as Wendell Phillips, Wendell Phillips Frederick Douglass
Abolitionist who wrote a letter prefacing Douglass's narrative.
Anna Murray
minor
Also known as Murray, Anna, Anna Murray
A free black woman who helps Douglass escape and later becomes his wife.
Mr. Butler
minor
Also known as Mr. Butler
An overseer on Colonel Lloyd's plantation.
Mr. Winder
minor
Also known as Mr. Winder, Winder
A slaveholder who hires Douglass.
Mr. Weeden
minor
Also known as Mr. Weeden
A slaveholder who hires Douglass.
Mr. Plummer
minor
Also known as Plummer, Mr. Plummer
A cruel overseer on Colonel Lloyd's plantation.
George Cookman
minor
Also known as Mr. George Cookman, Mr. Cookman
A Methodist minister who preaches to slaves.
Thomas Lanman
minor
Also known as Mr. Thomas Lanman
A slaveholder who hires Douglass.
Beal Bondly
minor
Also known as Mr. Beal Bondly, Mr. Bondly
A slaveholder who hires Douglass.
Matthews
minor
Also known as Matthews, General Matthews, young Matthews
A slaveholder who hires Douglass.
Jacob Jepson
minor
Also known as Jake, Jacob Jepson, old Jacob
An elderly slave on Colonel Lloyd's plantation.
Daniel Lloyd
minor
Also known as Master Daniel Lloyd, Master Daniel
Colonel Lloyd's son who befriends Douglass as a child.
Cousin Tom
minor
Also known as Cousin Tom, Thomas, Little Thomas, little Thomas
A young relative of the Auld family.
Bill Smith
minor
Also known as Smith, Bill Smith, Bill
A slave who participates in the Sabbath school.
Mrs. Hamilton
minor
Also known as Mrs. Hamilton
Wife of William Hamilton, a slaveholder.
