In this unforgettable installment of Love Through the Ages, we turn our gaze to 19th-century America and the remarkable bond between Frederick Douglass—once enslaved but destined to become a towering abolitionist—and Anna Murray Douglass, the free Black woman who risked everything to help him escape. From clandestine meetings in Baltimore to building a life together in New Bedford, we explore how their shared courage, steadfast devotion, and unbreakable faith in each other fueled a seismic shift in the fight against slavery. Discover the personal sacrifices Anna made—often out of the spotlight—that enabled Frederick’s meteoric rise as a speaker, writer, and champion of human rights. If you’re ready for a tale of love, peril, and an unrelenting pursuit of freedom, join us for an episode that proves true partnerships can reshape history.

• Douglass, Frederick.
• Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. Boston: Anti-Slavery Office, 1845.
• My Bondage and My Freedom. New York: Miller, Orton & Mulligan, 1855.
• Life and Times of Frederick Douglass. 1881; revised edition, Boston: De Wolfe & Fiske, 1892.
• Douglass, Rosetta.
• My Mother As I Recall Her. Privately published pamphlet, ca. 1900. (Recollections by Frederick and Anna’s eldest daughter.)
• Frederick Douglass Papers.
• Various letters, speeches, and documents housed at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., and other repositories.
• Online facsimiles and transcripts available at https://www.loc.gov/collections/frederick-douglass-papers.
• Contemporary Newspapers and Abolitionist Publications
• The Liberator (William Lloyd Garrison, ed.).
• The North Star (Frederick Douglass, ed.).

• Blight, David W.
• Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2018.
• A comprehensive modern biography providing in-depth analysis of Douglass’s life and the contributions of Anna Murray Douglass.
• Quarles, Benjamin.
• Frederick Douglass. Washington, D.C.: The Associated Publishers, 1948.
• One of the earliest major scholarly works on Douglass’s life and legacy, with references to Anna Murray Douglass.
• Fought, Leigh.
• Women in the World of Frederick Douglass. New York: Oxford University Press, 2017.
• Examines the roles and influences of the women in Douglass’s life, including Anna Murray Douglass.
• Andrews, William L.
• “Introduction.” In Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, by Frederick Douglass, xv–xxxvi. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999.
• Offers scholarly context on Douglass’s early life, escape, and family relationships.
• McFeely, William S.
• Frederick Douglass. New York: W.W. Norton, 1991.
• Provides biographical insights and discusses the Douglass family’s day-to-day experiences.

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In this episode of Love Through the Ages, we explore the legendary romance of Cleopatra VII Philopator—Egypt’s last active pharaoh—and the Roman general Mark Antony. We trace their first meeting, political maneuverings, lavish lifestyle, children, and eventual downfall. Join us as we separate myth from fact, examining how their love shook empires and shaped history.

This episode contains references to death by suicide. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please consider reaching out for support. You can find international hotlines and resources at Psychology Today’s list of suicide prevention resources. You are not alone—help is available.

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Ancient Sources

• Cassius Dio. Roman History. Translated by Earnest Cary. Loeb Classical Library. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1914–1927.
• A Roman senator’s account of events, written in Greek around the 3rd century CE.
• Pliny the Elder. Natural History. Translated by John Bostock and H.T. Riley. London: Taylor and Francis, 1855–1857.
• Includes anecdotes about Cleopatra, notably the pearl-dissolving story.
• Plutarch. “The Life of Antony.” In Plutarch’s Lives. Translated by Bernadotte Perrin. Loeb Classical Library. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1919.
• A principal source for Cleopatra and Mark Antony’s relationship.

Literary Adaptation

• Shakespeare, William. Antony and Cleopatra. ca. 1606–1607.
• The iconic Renaissance drama that immortalized the couple’s final moments.

Modern Scholarly Works

• Grant, Michael. Cleopatra. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1972.
• A classic, well-regarded study of Cleopatra’s life, placing her in historical context.
• Schiff, Stacy. Cleopatra: A Life. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2010.
• A modern and accessible biography that separates myth from documented history.

Online Resource

• Encyclopædia Britannica. “Cleopatra through the ages.” Accessed at
• https://www.britannica.com/biography/Cleopatra-queen-of-Egypt/Cleopatra-through-the-ages
• Provides an overview of Cleopatra’s life, legacy, and varying interpretations through time.

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