Born c. 1750
Nigeria, Africa
Died 1797
England

African slave, writer, abolitionist

Olaudah Equiano (pronounced ek-wee-AHN-o; also called Gustavus Vassa) led a remarkable life. When he was a child living in Nigeria, he was captured by African slave traders. After being sent first to the West Indies and then to a plantation in Virginia, Equiano was bought by British Naval officer Michael Henry Pascal. While serving Pascal, he received many advantages, including an education. He also became a skillful sailor during the Seven Years War (1756-63; a worldwide conflict fought in Europe, North America, and India). After the war, Equiano was traded to Robert King, who was a Quaker (member of the Society of Friends, a Christian group). King provided Equiano with the experience to begin his own trading business, which enabled him to save enough money to buy his freedom. After writing The...