Douglass spoke in his most popular lecture, "Self-Made Men," of people who rise through their own effort and devotion rather than circumstances of privilege. ... Douglass spoke in his most popular lecture, "Self-Made Men," of people who rise through their own effort and devotion rather than circumstances of privilege.adjective. The definition of self made is something that is made by oneself or someone who has become successful through his own efforts. An example of self made is a man who was born poor but who started his own business and made millions.
