The Rochester community is mourning the death of renowned Frederick Douglass scholar and storyteller David Anderson.
He was 96.
Anderson is a longtime educator who is possibly best known as a historian working to preserve the legacy of Frederick Douglass in Rochester, and for leading the Rochester-Monroe County Freedom Trail Commission.
“Douglas put down a hell of a strong footprint for us to follow,” Anderson once said, “so let's get with it.”
He helped start the Black Storytelling League of Rochester and Akwaaba: The Heritage Associates, a group whose members share and re-enact African-American history.
In a statement, City Council President Miguel Meléndez said Anderson’s passing “is devastating news for our city and to anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.” Other remembrances described him as a steward of Rochester’s history and a community treasure.
“Dr. Anderson was a tireless advocate for Rochester – and was a powerful advocate for our city’s African-American community in particular,” Meléndez said.
He described Anderson as "a beacon of excellence whose dedication to teaching, mentoring and community are indelible.”
Anderson received many accolades over the years, including the New York state Liberty Medal in 2022, the highest civilian honor in the state awarded for lifetime achievement and exceptional community acts. School No. 16 in the 19th Ward was named after him and his wife Ruth Anderson, a longtime RCSD teacher, in 2024.
"Dr. Anderson embodied the curiosity, character, and commitment to learning that we seek to nurture in every student," the district said in a statement. "His legacy will continue to live through the school that proudly bears his and Mrs. Anderson’s names and through our work to educate, inspire, and create opportunities for the young people of Rochester."
