"The Interesting Narrative of the life of Olaudah Equiano (or Gustavus Vassa), the African"
Olaudah Equiano was sold as a slave at the age of 11. Almost 30 years later, when he purchased his freedom from slavery he went in search of a man whom he believed held the key to abolish slavery. His name was Grandville Sharp. Sharp questioned him and asked Equiano his intentions upon coming to England. Equiano was hoping to employ his intervention in the human trafficking of African slaves. Sharp asked him if he had kept any memoirs on the experiences of the plantations. But Equiano wasn’t sure how accounting for his experiences would assist the abolishment of slavery. Sharp enlightened Equiano that his personal experiences and what he endured (during his time of being a slave) would greatly assist the ending of the slave trade. Sharp also encouraged Equiano to read the bible (even though Equiano wasn’t religious). The bible contained inspirational words of equality between different races and genders. The Bible's words energised Equiano's protest against slavery.
Equiano made many speeches expressing his views on the slave trade especially within the African species. He encouraged others to take a stand and refuse purchasing/using slave grown sugar in tea, refrain from drinking coffee made from the harsh conditions of slaves in the Americas, and to resist the habit of smoking tobacco. He made appeals for others to join his campaign and end the slave trade once and for all.
Equiano met many abolitionists who supported him greatly and encouraged him to write and publish an autobiography based on his experiences as a slave. He had received a lot of financial support too. When he wrote his account, it contained many descriptions and details of his time as a slave. He entitled his autobiography, "The Interesting Narrative of the life of Olaudah Equiano (or Gustavus Vassa), the African." It was published in 1789 with many subscribers listed within the book. It went through several editions too. His book was read broadly throughout England. It was the first significant autobiography that triggered an anti-slavery movement right through Great Britain.
Within his book, he clearly and strongly stated and argued the unfairness, cruelty and inhumanity of slavery:
“Surely this traffic cannot be good, which spreads like pestilence, and taints what it touches! Which violates that first natural right of mankind, equality and independency, and gives one man a dominion over his fellows which God could never intend! For it raises the owner to a state as far above man as it depresses the slave below it… Are slaves more useful by being thus humbled to the condition of brutes, than they would be if suffered to enjoy the privileges of men? The freedom which diffuses health and prosperity throughout Britain answers you – No.”
- "The Interesting Narrative of the life of Olaudah Equiano (or Gustavus Vassa), the African," by Olaudah Equiano
Throughout the autobiography were various descriptions of how Equiano's journey eventually brought him to London. After travelling widely, Equiano decided to settle in Britain to start a family while still continuing his protest against the slave trade. The autobiography brought him to London. There, in London, he married into the society with local girl Susannah Cullen (who also subscribed to his book). Controversy suggested that the marriage was only formed to display a commercial union between Africa and Great Britain and to also support his book. He often had to travel around to promote the selling of editions of his book as it was in demand due to the growing number of people supporting his campaign.
Equiano's book became his most enduring input into the anti-slavery movement, as it illustrated the similarities between Africans and British as well as outlining the cruelty of slavery. The success of his book provided a voice for many vulnerable enslaved Africans. This meant that his work life impacted on his family life as his book led him to become a leading abolitionist. The book's growing popularity greatly assisted the abolition of slavery and made Equiano a wealthy man. Equiano's building income gave him independence from his financial supporters and enabled him to financially support himself. With his revenue, Equiano worked to improve conditions in America economically, socially and educationally (mainly in Sierra Leone).
Equiano made many speeches expressing his views on the slave trade especially within the African species. He encouraged others to take a stand and refuse purchasing/using slave grown sugar in tea, refrain from drinking coffee made from the harsh conditions of slaves in the Americas, and to resist the habit of smoking tobacco. He made appeals for others to join his campaign and end the slave trade once and for all.
Equiano met many abolitionists who supported him greatly and encouraged him to write and publish an autobiography based on his experiences as a slave. He had received a lot of financial support too. When he wrote his account, it contained many descriptions and details of his time as a slave. He entitled his autobiography, "The Interesting Narrative of the life of Olaudah Equiano (or Gustavus Vassa), the African." It was published in 1789 with many subscribers listed within the book. It went through several editions too. His book was read broadly throughout England. It was the first significant autobiography that triggered an anti-slavery movement right through Great Britain.
Within his book, he clearly and strongly stated and argued the unfairness, cruelty and inhumanity of slavery:
“Surely this traffic cannot be good, which spreads like pestilence, and taints what it touches! Which violates that first natural right of mankind, equality and independency, and gives one man a dominion over his fellows which God could never intend! For it raises the owner to a state as far above man as it depresses the slave below it… Are slaves more useful by being thus humbled to the condition of brutes, than they would be if suffered to enjoy the privileges of men? The freedom which diffuses health and prosperity throughout Britain answers you – No.”
- "The Interesting Narrative of the life of Olaudah Equiano (or Gustavus Vassa), the African," by Olaudah Equiano
Throughout the autobiography were various descriptions of how Equiano's journey eventually brought him to London. After travelling widely, Equiano decided to settle in Britain to start a family while still continuing his protest against the slave trade. The autobiography brought him to London. There, in London, he married into the society with local girl Susannah Cullen (who also subscribed to his book). Controversy suggested that the marriage was only formed to display a commercial union between Africa and Great Britain and to also support his book. He often had to travel around to promote the selling of editions of his book as it was in demand due to the growing number of people supporting his campaign.
Equiano's book became his most enduring input into the anti-slavery movement, as it illustrated the similarities between Africans and British as well as outlining the cruelty of slavery. The success of his book provided a voice for many vulnerable enslaved Africans. This meant that his work life impacted on his family life as his book led him to become a leading abolitionist. The book's growing popularity greatly assisted the abolition of slavery and made Equiano a wealthy man. Equiano's building income gave him independence from his financial supporters and enabled him to financially support himself. With his revenue, Equiano worked to improve conditions in America economically, socially and educationally (mainly in Sierra Leone).
Impact of His Book | |
File Size: | 3854 kb |
File Type: | wav |