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Olaudah Equiano (1745 - 1797)
Slave who bought his freedom and fought against the trade in enslaved people

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Known for

Olaudah Equiano. © NMM

Olaudah Equiano was the first political leader of England’s black community. According to his famous autobiography, Equiano was kidnapped at an early age and sold into a life of slavery.

The ill-treatment he received and the suffering of his fellow enslaved Africans inspired Equiano to fight the slave trade.

He published his autobiography, ‘The Life of Olaudah Equiano the African’ in 1789. This was the most important literary contribution to the campaign for abolition.

Port Connection

Equiano was well travelled throughout the British Empire and his varied career frequently led him to the port of London. He first arrived in London as Captain Henry Pascal’s slave. He was taught to read and write by relatives of his master before being sold and shipped abroad again. In 1767 he returned to London as a free man after buying his freedom in 1766. He worked closely with Granville Sharp and Thomas Clarkson in ‘The Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade’.

Interesting Facts

When Equiano was purchased by Captain Henry Pascal he was renamed Gustavas Vassa. This act was typical of slave owners who asserted power over their slaves by trying to impose a new identity. Equiano was beaten until he answered to his new name.

Equiano tried to persuade George III and leading politicians to abolish slavery by sending them accounts of enslavement in America. Despite his efforts the Royal family remained against the abolition of the trade.

Useful link:

Olaudah Equiano

Life Story

Note:	Details of Equiano's early life have been the subject of debate. This information has been taken from his own account.
1745	Born in Isseke, Nigeria
1756	Kidnapped at the age of 11 and sent to Virginia
1757	Bought by Captain Henry Pascal. He is renamed Gustavus Vassa and sails to London
1758-62	Serves in the Royal Navy during the Seven Years War
1759	Baptised at St Margaret’s Church
1763	Sold to Robert King. Works on trading ships in the West Indies
1766	Buys his freedom
1767	Shipwrecked in the Bahamas on his last mission for his former master
1773	Goes on expedition to find an Arctic passage to India
1774	Unsuccessfully tries to save his friend John Annis from being tortured to death in the West Indies
1775	Takes Communion at Westminster Church. Travels to Nicuaguara to establish a plantation and Christianize the native population
1788	Presents an antislavery petition to the Royal family
1786	Appointed commissary to Sierra Leone
1787	Helps organise the Sons of Africa in London
1789	Publishes his autobiography, ‘The Life of Olaudah Equiano the African’
1792	Marries English woman, Susan Cullen
1797	Dies in London

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