The Frederick Douglass Papers v. 3; Series Two: Autobiographical Writings: Life and Times of Frederick Douglass Frederick Douglass, John R. McKivigan

"Life and Times" was first published in 1881, toward the end of Douglass' public career. Although overshadowed in popularity by the shorter "Narrative" (1845), Douglass clearly deemed this comprehensive treatment of his life his most important autobiography. This edition resurrects a long neglected milestone in African American literature. In this volume, Douglass revisits the events of the earlier volumes - detailing his life in slavery, his escape by way of the Underground Railroad, and his rise in the abolitionist movement - but within a different historical context and with the greater reflection afforded by his intellectual maturity.

John R. McKivigan is Mary O' Brien Gibson Professor of United States History at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis. He is also adjunct professor in the American Studies and African-American Studies programs, and General Editor of Yale's Frederick Douglass Papers series.