History of the Underground Railroad in Rochester - Frederick Douglass and the Underground Railroad


The presence of Frederick Douglass -a famous ex-slave who became a prominent abolitionist, publisher and spokesman against slavery- helped to enhance Rochester's reputation as a liberal minded city. In fact, Douglass used his own home as one of the 'stations' used in Rochester for fugitive slaves. In keeping with the rest of the nation, the members of the Underground Railroad who aided escaped slaves included prominent citizens with liberal minded views, Quakers, and ex-slaves who worked to liberate those who were not yet free.