Frederick Douglass had three siblings. He was born into slavery, and his mother, Harriet Bailey, gave birth to four children in total, but only Douglass and his three siblings survived to adulthood. His siblings were Elizabeth, Rosetta, and a brother named at varying times as Andrew or Lewis.
Although Douglass was separated from his siblings at a young age, he often reflected on the importance of family and the deep pain of being torn apart. Douglass’s experiences growing up in a fractured family situation contributed to his strong advocacy for the rights of all individuals, particularly in relation to family and freedom.