Frederick Douglass visited the North Shields Baptist Church on Howard Street in 1846, where he delivered two lectures at the invitation of the North Shields Anti-Slavery Society. Councillor Wendy Lott, chair of North Tyneside Council, said: "Frederick Douglass was a remarkable man whose courage, determination and powerful voice helped change the course of history. "It is a source of pride that North Shields played a small but significant part in his journey to freedom, and this Blue Plaque will help ensure that connection is remembered. During his time in Britain and Ireland, Douglass addressed audiences about his life in slavery and the campaign to end the practice. The plaque was installed by the North Shields Heritology Project.