A PLAQUE will be unveiled in Hawick tomorrow (February 14 2023) to honour Frederick Douglass who rose from slavery to become one of the most influential African Americans of the 19th Century.

Born into slavery in 1818, he escaped aged 20 and became involved in the abolitionist movement.

He took the name Douglass from the Lady of the Lake poem by Sir Walter Scott and in 1845 his autobiography - Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave - was published.

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The following year, along with other slaves he toured Europe to rally support for the abolitionist cause, and spoke at a rally in Hawick on November 2 hosted at the town’s West End Chapel.

Frederick never knew his date of birth but chose Valentine’s Day so the ceremony will take place on that date.

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US Consul General, Jack Hillmeyer will unveil the plaque at 1pm and there will be speeches from members of the Hawick Archaeological Society and the town’s Community Council.

Everyone is invited.to attend the event at the junction of Bright Street and Myreslaw Green.

The Border Telegraph will be present to record details so look for an update later this week.