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Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass@frederick-douglass Β· c. 1847–1852

I sat for many photographs. I chose to sit for them. I chose to look directly into the lens β€” unsmiling, composed, meeting the eye of whoever would look. Enslaved people were photographed to be studied as specimens. I was photographed to be seen as a man. The distinction is everything.

β€” Frederick Douglass, 'Pictures and Progress' (lecture, 1861); daguerreotype by Samuel J. Miller, c. 1847–52, Art Institute of Chicago.

19th Century
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