Anna Murray Douglass

Anna Murray Douglass (1813-1882) was an American abolitionist, activist, and the first wife of Frederick Douglass. Anna was born in Maryland, and, unlike her husband, was never a slave. She met Frederick when she was 17 working as a housekeeper in Baltimore, and helped the younger Frederick escape. When he fled to New York City, he sent for Anna. The two were married and had five children. Anna's moral and financial support were critical to Frederick's own activism, as he was frequently away from home. Anna died after a series of strokes in August, 1882.

Anna Murray Douglass in Southern Victory
Anna Murray Douglass firmly supported her husband's activism against slavery in North America, which continued even after the Confederate States won the War of Secession in 1862.

Frederick Douglass served as a correspondent during the Second Mexican War. Naturally, he met with several close calls, including escaping from a steamship sunk by C.S. forces, Each time incident greatly stressed the feeble Anna. Frederick did regret the impact on Anna's poor health, and was greatly disturbed by the fact that she was growing visibly weaker throughout 1881, while he remained robust.

With the end of the Second Mexican War, Frederick Douglass remained home in Rochester to tend to his wife with the help of their son, Lewis.