Pulitzer Prize Winner David W. Blight Talks About Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom

Professor Blight is the author or editor of a dozen books, including American Oracle: The Civil War in the Civil Rights Era; and Race and Reunion: The Civil War in American Memory; and annotated editions of Douglass’s first two autobiographies. He has worked on Douglass much of his professional life, and been awarded the Bancroft Prize, the Abraham Lincoln Prize, and the Frederick Douglass Prize, among others. Professor Blight has just been awarded the Pulitzer Prize in the history category for his book Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom. In the announcement, Administrator of the Pulitzer Prize Dana Canedy describes Blight’s book as “a breathtaking history that demonstrates the scope of Frederick Douglass’ influence through deep research on his writings, his intellectual evolution and his relationships.” It was also selected as a New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Time Top 10 Book of the Year.