A Frederick Douglass Gray African American Wig and beard set. This Frederick Douglass wig really captures his look in his elder years. He was truly a reformer for equal rights in the late 19th century. Frederick Douglass was born into slavery in the state of Maryland. At the age of 12, his slave owner’s wife started to teach him the alphabet and reading skills. He quickly learned to read and taught other slaves how to read and write as well. Frederick Douglass eventually escaped from slavery and settled in the North East. Frederick Douglass was the first African American to be as Vice Presidential candidate on the Equal Rights Party ticket in 1872.