Olaudah Equiano (1745-March 31, 1797)  known better as, Gustavus Vassa was a talented writer and abolitionist who won his freedom from slavery in 1766. In his freedom he was a strong activist for the anti-slave trading movement in the 1780's. Olaudah is known for writing his memoir, The interesting Narrative  of the life of Olaudah Equiano. In his memoir, Olaudah recounts the horrors that him and others endured through the acts of slavery and also regarded his stances on the Abolition movement. His memoir was so popular in his lifetime that the book became published in multiple languages across the globe.

On his account, Olaudah was born in what is now modern day Nigeria. He came from a influencial family within the community, his father being regarded as a political leader. However, that did not stop Olauah and his sisters kidnapping at 11 years old.  From there he was sold from various traders until he made the voyage on a European slave ship across the Atlantic. It was here that the young boy of 11 was introduced the horrors of human inlsavement. In his memoir he said he felt as if he were, "in another world." From there he was sold to the Colony of Virginia to a man known as Michael Henry Pascal, a lietenant to the Royal Navy. It was by him that Olaudah coined the name, "Gustavus Vassa".  Once arriving in London, Equiano traveled with Pascal, learning the craft of the mariner's trade and than later went to school in London.  With an education and a mind for trade, Equiano gained a great asset. However, it did not stop Pascal from selling him. After being traded to one person to another, Olaudah lastly ended with a man named Robert King who saw Equiano's skill and who later let him purchase his own freedom. 

From there, Olaudah used his knowledge to build a new life for himself. In London, he became aqainted with members that were apart of the Abolitionist movement that was beginning to take form. Wanting to take part, and with good political connections, Olaudah began to campaign for the end of the slave trade. in 1786 he became a prominent member of the 'Son's of Africa" a group compossed of 12 African Americans to help put an end to slavery. It was here that he began to write the beginning of his memoir. The books popularity spread wide and also earned him some profit.  

Equiano died in 1797, leaving behind his English wife and two daughters. He died before Britain took any allegation against human enlavement. However, Literary Scholars have praised Olaudah's memoir and have regarded it as an influencial piece that sparked Britian to begin conversation on human rights and to rethink the relationship of human trafficking. In 2007 the fist adition of The Interesting Narrative of the Life of  Olaudah Equinao  was inlcuded in The Westminister Abbey with a special service to commemorate Britian's Abolition to the Slave Trade Act. 

Works Cited

British Library. https;//www.bl.uk./collection-items/the-life-of-olaudah-equiano

"Olaudah Equiano" Slavery and Rememberance. https://slaveryandrememberance.org/people/person/?id=PP003

Equiano Olaudah. The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano. W. Durell. (1789).