Douglass Pen was inspired by the handwriting of Frederick Douglass, who was born an American slave but died a distinguished 19th century statesman, orator, and abolitionist leader. He also had fine penmanship. Douglass Pen is modeled chiefly after Douglass’s handwritten account of John Brown’s famous 1859 raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia. It simulates his somewhat condensed cursive, dashed off in a swift, bold style.

The OpenType release has more than 800 glyphs, including scores of ligatures, alternative upper cases, inkblots, crossouts, and Eastern European characters.