GLASSBORO, N.J. (CBS) — Frederick Douglass was an abolitionist, author and public speaker who became one of the most influential African American figures of the 19th century.
But if you wanted to learn more about him, you would quickly find out it isn’t always that easy, which is why Rowan University held what’s called a “transcribe-a-thon” to give people more access to his history.
Students at the university were part of an effort called Douglass Day. They helped transcribe letters written to Douglass.
Rowan University student Emily Schmidt was one of nearly 100 students who attended the event.
“Today is really important,” she said. “As time goes on, you have people who might forget the influence that somebody had.”
These letters can be found in the Library of Congress, but Rowan University professor Jessica Mack says without a transcription, they’re incredibly hard to find. It makes the work of the students extremely important, she said.