In 1789, Olaudah Equiano’s two-volume autobiography emerged as a vital document in the movement against the British slave trade. Presented to influential members of Parliament and leading figures in the abolitionist movement, the narrative found a place in the hearts of many, including John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, who had it read to him in his final days. The autobiography gained traction across the Atlantic, being published in the United States by 1791 and captivating audiences on both continents. Its influence extended across Europe, with translations into several languages ensuring its longevity and impact well into the nineteenth century.

Equiano’s narrative stands as a foundational example of the slave narrative genre, a literary form that became instrumental in the abolitionist crusade. By weaving together the elements of spiritual autobiography with a recounting of a slave's journey to freedom, Equiano set a precedent for the narratives that followed. This model was mirrored in the later works of Frederick Douglass and Harriet Ann Jacobs, whose stories further propelled the anti-slavery message. The influence of Equiano’s work even seeped into fiction, informing Harriet Beecher Stowe’s seminal work, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and echoed through twentieth-century literature in the works of writers like Richard Wright, Malcolm X, and Toni Morrison.

Beyond its impact on abolitionist literature, Equiano’s autobiography exemplifies a dual nature, encapsulating both spiritual and secular autobiographical traditions. While it shares a kinship with spiritual journeys, akin to those depicted in religious writings, it also parallels works like Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography, which emphasize personal growth and economic achievement. Through his narrative, Equiano underscores the potential for a black individual to achieve personal and material success, given the freedom to realize such ambitions. This message of self-determination and success rings clear throughout his work, asserting that true accomplishment, whether spiritual or material, is rooted in the fundamental freedom from bondage.