Lewis Henry Douglass

Lewis Henry Douglass was the son of Frederick Douglass. He was born in New Bedford, MA, on October 9, 1840. Douglas was member of the first black infantry during the civil war. He worked his way up the ranks becoming Sergeant Major only two months after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.

Douglass like his father fought for the freedom of his people. Although he did it in a different form. After President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, the Civil War took place shortly after. Douglass joined the Union’s military in 1963. A black leader in Boston by the name of convinced the Massachusetts Governor, John Andrew to put together the first regiment of black soldiers. This is where the “Fifty- Fourth” was born. Lewis Henry Douglass was one of the soldiers included in this unit. 

By March 25, he became Sergeant Major. This was the highest ranking an African American could achieve. A few major battles Douglass participated in were, the Battle of Grimball’s Landing, the Second Battle of Fort Wagner, and the Battle of Olustee. Douglas was wounded and became ill leading him to being discharged in 1864.

Following his career in the military, he relocated to Denver where he learned typography and became a teacher at the Freedom’s Bureau. Not long after he married his wife Helen Amelia Loguen in 1869. Again relocating, this time to Washington D.C where he began working for the government printing office as a typesetter. This job did not last long, he fired because he was unable to join the union due to racial intimidation. From 1870—1874 he established himself as the senior editor of the New National Era newspaper which addressed issues within the black community in D.C. Douglass had political impact as well, when Ulysses S. Grant appointed him to the legislative council of the District of Columbia.

Douglass had a stroke in 1904 and died due to complications from this same stroke in 1908.

Thank you, Lewis Henry Douglass for your contributions to the culture!