Planned Edinburgh plaque to mark spot where former slave and leading abolitionist gave speech in 1846

The application submitted on January 20 by Edinburgh World Heritage is for the installation of a bronze plaque on the exterior of 29A Waterloo Place, the building where Frederick Douglass gave a speech in 1846 as part of his campaign that eventually helped bring about the legal abolition of slavery.

The plaque, which was put forward by the resident at this address, David Howie, will contain an image of Frederick Douglass which was gifted by artist Gordon Muir, and text explaining who he was, and will be 330mm wide by 500mm high.

The plaque in memory of Frederick Douglass would be placed here at Waterloo Place in Edinburgh if the plans are approved. | Edinburgh World Heritage

The plaque would be made by Powderhall Bronze Design and placed at eye level (1.6m above pavement), surface mounted, with the installation to be carried out by a qualified contractor.

If approved, the planning documents show that the text with the plaque would read: “In this building on 1 May 1846, America’s leading abolitionist spoke to a crowded public meeting about the injustice of slavery.

“Born on a Maryland plantation in 1817, before escaping he taught many of his fellow enslaved people to read. Douglass chose his freeman surname from a character in Sir Walter Scott’s ‘Lady of the Lake’ and was a great admirer of Robert Burns.

“After the publication of his autobiography, Frederick became a literary sensation, but with fame came an increased risk of being re-enslaved. To avoid this, he set sail for a speaking tour of Britain and Ireland.

“He was appointed “Scotland’s Anti-Slavery Agent”, and his powerful speeches helped to bring about the legal abolition of slavery.”

A close-up view of the proposed plaque for America’s leading abolitionist Frederick Douglass. | Edinburgh World Heritage

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The proposed plaque will now be decided upon by the City of Edinburgh Council’s planning department, with the application so far receiving no comments on the council’s online planning portal.

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