There would be no Frederick Douglass without Anna Murray. After declaring she did not want her children's father to be a slave, Anna helped Douglass escape by disguising him as a sailor. She sold her personal belongings to finance his escape. They eventually reunited in New York, where they married. This clip describes Douglass’ work in a shipbuilding yard in Baltimore’s Fells Point as well as Anna Murray’s powerful influence on Douglass' self-emancipation.

Explore this documentary film clip and engage students in historical thinking using the Library of Congress Primary Source Analysis Tool. In this inquiry-based resource for Becoming Frederick Douglass, students view a video clip describing how Frederick Douglass and Anna Murray plot his escape to the North to build a life together, analyze primary source maps and images, and consider discussion prompts for more dialogue and deeper reflection.