1. The first abolition society began in 1775: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-american-abolition-society-founded-in-philadelphia

2. Douglass read voraciously. I highly recommend his three autobiographies. In his speeches for abolition, he liked quoting famous Americans.

3. You should always credit the people who began the fights that eventually won. In Franklin's day, the rich of all races generally supported slavery. That he did not win is no shame to him.

4. No. I prob'ly should someday.