Olaudah Equiano - Abolitionist

Born around 1745 in what is now southeastern Nigeria, Equiano was kidnapped at around age 11 with his sister and sold into slavery – Equiano and his sister were playing in a field. They were deliberately separated, he was taken to the West Indies and then to Virginia where he was sold and became a servant to a Royal Navy Lieutenant Michael Pascal. Pascal named Olaudah Gustavus Vassa. Equiano worked for Pascal on various war ships during the Seven Year Wars fought between 1756 and 1763. Equiano accompanied Pascal when Pascal traveled to England. Whilst owned by Pascal, Equiano learned to read and write.

Robert King, a Quaker and a trader was Equiano’s next owner. Equiano was intelligent so King allowed Equiano to accompany him and help trade goods around the West Indies and North America. Equiano was shrewd, he took the opportunity to also personally sell goods - the incentive was that King had told Equiano that he could buy his freedom. Equiano saved enough money from his personal trading to do just that – the year was 1765.

As a free man Equiano travelled to London UK. He was a barber and hairdresser for a short time though went back to trading, traveling throughout Europe aboard ships, though he made London his base.

Equiano was heavily involved in the abolitionist movement fighting to ban slavery. The movement included The Sons of Africa a group of free African slaves who campaigned, lobbied and sent letters to newspapers and prominent people, they even handed an anti-slavery petition to Queen Charlotte. The groups most prominent members were Olaudah Equiano and Ottobah Cugoana.

In 1789, Equiano published the first edition of his autobiography, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African. there were nine editions in his lifetime. Equiano showed his business acumen by retaining the copyright to his book. For each addition Equiano would get people to buy the book before publication in order to raise funds.

The book was his first-hand account of slavery, it was a sensation. Equiano toured the country with his book which helped refuel interest and sympathy towards the abolitionist movement. Equiano's account was extremely important and helped galvanise the fight and sentiment against the slave trade, he was the most prominent African voice in the UK at the time.

Equiano continued campaigning until his death in 1797.

"Tortures, murder, and every other imaginable barbarity and iniquity are practiced upon the poor slaves with impunity."

Olaudah Equiano

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