Olaudah Equiano: Abolitionist and Author (c.1745-1797)

Early Life and Enslavement

• Born circa 1745 in Essaka, Igboland (now Nigeria)
• Kidnapped at age 11 and sold into slavery
• Transported via Middle Passage to Barbados (1756)
• Sold to Royal Navy officer Michael Pascal
• Renamed “Gustavus Vassa” by enslaver

Life as an Enslaved Person

• Served in Seven Years’ War (1756-1763)
• Learned to read and write while enslaved
• Purchased his freedom in 1766 (age 21) for £40
• Worked as seaman and merchant post-freedom

Literary Achievement

• Published autobiography (1789):
  • “The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano”
  • First influential slave narrative
  • Went through 9 editions in his lifetime
• Described horrors of Middle Passage:
  • Packed slave ships
  • Brutal punishments
  • Family separation

Abolitionist Work

• Became leading voice in British abolition movement
• Petitioned Queen Charlotte (1788)
• Provided testimony to Parliament
• Worked with abolitionists:
  • Granville Sharp
  • Thomas Clarkson
  • William Wilberforce

Later Life and Legacy

• Married Englishwoman Susannah Cullen (1792)
• Died March 31, 1797 in London
• Narrative remains key slavery testimony
• Inspired later abolitionist writings
• Recognized as founding African-British author

Key Statistics

Achievement	Year/Data
Age at kidnapping	11
Years enslaved	14 (1756-1766)
Freedom price	£40
Book editions	9 during lifetime