The Columbian Orator

by David W. Blight (Editor)

First published in 1797, The Columbian Orator helped shape the American mind for the next half century, going through some 23 editions and totaling 200,000 copies in sales. The book was read by virtually every American schoolboy in the first half of the 19th century. As a slave youth, Frederick Douglass owned just one book, and read it frequently, referring to it as a "gem" and his "rich treasure."

The Columbian Orator presents 84 selections, most of which are notable examples of oratory on such subjects as nationalism, religious faith, individual liberty, freedom, and slavery, including pieces by Washington, Franklin, Milton, Socrates, and Cicero, as well as heroic poetry and dramatic dialogues. Augmenting these is an essay on effective public speaking which influenced Abraham Lincoln as a young politician. As America experiences a resurgence of interest in the art of debating and oratory, The Columbian Orator--whether as historical artifact or contemporary guidebook--is one of those rare books to be valued for what it meant in its own time, and for how its ideas have endured. Above all, this book is a remarkable compilation of Enlightenment era thought and language that has stood the test of time.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Politics, Education, Philosophy, Classics

302 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1797

About the author

David William Blight is the Sterling Professor of History, of African American Studies, and of American Studies and Director of the Gilder Lehrman Center for the Study of Slavery, Resistance, and Abolition at Yale University. Previously, Blight was a professor of History at Amherst College, where he taught for 13 years. He has won several awards, including the Bancroft Prize and Frederick Douglass Prize for Race and Reunion: The Civil War in American Memory, and the Pulitzer Prize and Lincoln Prize for Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom. In 2021, he was elected to the American Philosophical Society.

Reviews

[Kelley Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the first book purchased by Fredrick Douglass and it was instrumental in the development of his thinking and speaking ability. It was a pleasure to read.

[Rich Offman · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you believe the lore, Frederick Douglass self-taught with little more than the Bible and this book originally published in 1797. And the lore: Douglass observed a group of kids practicing oratory with this book. Impressed by their performance, he stole a loaf of bread and traded for it. More than a one of my 126 English intervention students who hate reading threatened to steal my copy of this book - so they could read it.

[Dalton Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book may be older and more traditional, but it is absolutely excellent for anyone seeking to improve their knowledge and daily learning.

There is certainly great amounts of wisdom, wit, and intelligence ridden through each of its rustic pages. The power of Eloquence which rides its pages is often overwhelming in today's modern age, many readers of this may find themselves surprised something such as this isn't taught or given today in modern classrooms.

[Dayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frederick Douglass used this book for inspiration, while writing his beautiful speeches. Also used for college students graduating in the 1770s.