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Civic Classics Collection

A special collection that supports ASU's mission of civic education

Race and America

Frederick Douglass's Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass (1845)
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. Written by Frederick Douglass. Published in Boston by the Anti-Slavery Office in 1845. 
Frances H. Green's Slave-Wife and Frederick Douglass' "Speech"
The Slave-Wife by F. H. Green, Also, Speech of Frederick Douglass (A Fugitive Slave from Maryland) In Belfast, Ireland, on the Presentation of a Beautiful Copy of the Holy Bible, by the Citizens of that Place. Published in Cortlandville, New York by Stedman & Goodwin in 1846.
This is a unique copy of Slave-Wife. Green's piece originally appeared in Liberty Chimes, published in 1845 by the Providence (Rhode Island) Ladies' Anti-Slavery Society. A small number of copies were printed independently, of which this is one. This copy also includes a speech Frederick Douglass gave to the citizens of Belfast during his stay there (December 1845-January 1846). The printing must be after January 6, 1846 Because the presentation of the Bible to Douglass referenced in the title occurred on January 6, 1846 at a public breakfast, the printing of this pamphlet must post date that event.
Coming Soon
Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852)
Uncle Tom's Cabin, or, Life among the Lowly. Written by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Published in Boston by John P. Jewett and Company in 1852.
The Lincoln-Douglas Debates (1860)
Political Debates between Hon. Abraham Lincoln and Hon. Stephen A. Douglass, in the Celebrated Campaign of 1858, in Illinois. Published in Columbus, Ohio by Follett, Foster and Company in 1860.
Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address (1864)
"Address Delivered at the Dedication of the Cemetery at Gettysburg." Written by Abraham Lincoln. Facsimile of speech published in Autograph Leaves of Our Country's Authors. Published in Baltimore by Cushings and Bailey in 1864.
Digital surrogate: https://archive.org/details/autographleaveso00kenn
Front flyleaf inscribed: To The Honble J. Lothrop Motley / with the kind regards of / E. G. Kennedy / Rome March 11th 1868
The Gettysburg Address was a speech delivered by then-President Abraham Lincoln at the dedication of the Cemetery at Gettysburg in 1863. Gettysburg had been . . . Continue reading
Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address
"President Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address, March 4, 1865." Written by Abraham Lincoln. Published in The Tribune Almanac for the Years 1838 to 1868 Inclusive. Published in New York by The New York Tribune in 1868.
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Stride Toward Freedom (1958)
Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story. Written by Martin Luther King, Jr. Published in New York by Harper & Row Publishers in 1958.
Coming Soon
Stride Toward Freedom is the Civil Rights Movement leader Martin Luther King, Jr.’s firsthand account of the Montgomery Bus Protest in which he played a leading role. It amply demonstrates . . . Continue reading
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Strength to Love (1963)
Strength to Love. Written by Martin Luther King, Jr. Published in New York by Harper & Row Publishers in 1963.

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