Frederick Douglass and his Winning Smile

Who knew that Frederick Douglass had a great smile?  Whenever I think of Slaves or Freedman, I think of individuals who have been mistreated and worn.  However, this is not true.  Read this description of Frederick Douglass around the time of this death:

His appearance on the platform was imposing. His height was over 6 feet and his weight was fully 200 pounds. His complexion was swarthy rather than black. His head was covered with a great shock of white hair. A large head, low forehead, high cheekbones, and large mouth, with gleaming white teeth, were some of the noticeable characteristics of his appearance. As a speaker he was characterized by his earnestness. He made but few gestures and used simple language.


My thoughts and imagination:
As I look at his face, I imagine him in a happy moment smiling or laughing.  Looking at his eyes, I can imagine that is eyes are barely visible depending on how wide his smile.  I imagine him at his most joyful times laughing until he is brought to tears.  I imagine him as a human being.

Source:  Author unknown. (1895, February 21). Death of Fred Douglass. The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/bday/0207.html