Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass. Both were grand figures in history, noted for their contributions to the end of slavery, although both came from radically different backgrounds. For instance, both their childhoods were incredibly different. Frederick Douglass was born into slavery, and was also illiterate due to the strict rules prohibiting slaves from becoming educated. He spent much time as a child learning to read from the poor white children, whom he gave food in return for their teachings. Abraham, however, was not born into slavery, but was born in a log cabin in Kentucky. Abraham’s parents could not read, nor write, but sent Abe to school, which he attended on and off, but mostly educated himself using borrowed books.