The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, written by himself, became a bestseller both in england and america, and fueled the beginnings of an antislavery movement. Or gustavus vassa, the african ebook written by olaudah equiano. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. Books by olaudah equiano author of the interesting narrative. Equiano purchased his freedom in 1766 and became active in the british antislavery movement. Interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano or. Olaudah equianos most popular book is the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equ. The authors account of his country, and their manners and customsadministration of justiceembrenchemarriage ceremony, and public entertainmentsmode of livingdressmanufactures buildingscommerceagriculturewar and religionsuperstition of the nativesfuneral ceremonies of the priests or magicianscurious mode of discovering poisonsome hints concerning the. Olaudah equiano was born in 1745 in the african country that is now nigeria. The life of olaudah equiano study guide from litcharts. Olaudah equiano 1745 31 march 1797 was a freed slave who supported the british movement to end the slave trade. In 1792, equiano married an englishwoman, susanna cullen, and they had two daughters.
The interesting narrative by olaudah equiano, paperback. Olaudah equiano, author info, published books, bio, photo. Olaudah equiano quotes author of the interesting narrative. Olaudah equiano was a prominent black activist who worked hard to put an end to slave trade in britain and its colonies. Olaudah equiano, letter to james tobin, january 28, 1788. He was sent to barbados, then to colonial virginia, and then sold to a british naval officer. It is one of the earliest books published by a black african writer. Gustavus vassa, the african slavery equiano, olaudah on.
Mar 27, 2020 olaudah equiano, selfproclaimed west african sold into slavery and later freed. He was sold twice more but purchased his freedom in 1766. He was born into an igbo community that he called essaka, or most probably isieke, in what is now the ihiala local government area of the anambra state of nigeria. The adults worked in the fields during the day leaving the children to fend for themselves in the village. Olaudah equiano books list of books by author olaudah equiano. Olaudah equiano s epic book tour for his bestselling firsthand account of slavery changed the british abolitionist movement. Olaudah equiano and susannah cullen were married in this church on 7. This is an account of the slave trade by a native african, former slave. Enslaved as a child, he was taken to the caribbean and sold as a slave to a royal navy officer. In 1789, he published his autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa the african, which had a strong abolitionist message. The interesting narrative and other writings olaudah. Her grave in abney park cemetery, london, was given listed status in 2008 but little is known of her life. He was a prolific writer, activist and humanitarian. Equiano married an english woman named susannah cullen in 1792 and they had two daughters.
The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano or gustavus vassa, the african. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. Check out our revolutionary sidebyside summary and analysis. Mar 17, 2005 the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african written by himself language. Volume i opens with a description of equianos native. In 1792, equiano married an englishwoman, susanna cullen, and. Entitled the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african 1789, the book went.
As a slave of a naval captain equiano trained in sowing and always traveled with his master especially during the seven years war. He was made a slave when he was a child but was later able to buy his freedom. He became one of the most prominent african champions for and involved in the fight for the abolition of the slave trade. When distilled, however, the book was a searing condemnation of slavery and the british empires part in the slave. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african tells the firstperson story of olaudah equiano, an elevenyearold boy from an eastern province of benin, who was introduced to the seaand to white menwhen he was captured in 1756 by african slavers and taken to a slave trading port on the west african. On this day in 1766, olaudah equiano was fortunate enough to purchase his freedom and forged a life as an author, merchant and explorer. See all books authored by olaudah equiano, including the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. Dec 06, 2016 genealogy for susannah vassa cullen c. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano kindle edition by olaudah equiano author. Summary of the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano.
In 1792, he married an english woman, susan cullen. An enslaved man who bought his freedom and wrote compellingly about his experiences, olaudah equiano c. Penned by the freedman olaudah equiano himself, the book was part travelogue and part autobiography. Olaudah equiano, tells of his adventures on the high seas and his role in abolishing. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. Read a brief narrative about the extraordinary life of olaudah equiano discover. Olaudah equiano buys freedom on this day in 1766 newsone.
Equiano was born in what is now nigeria and sold into slavery aged 11. He married susanna cullen in 1792, with whom he had two daughters. He lived in england and in 1792 married susanna cullen with whom he would have two daughters. Olaudah equiano simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. This enabled him to become a british citizen and he began writing about his experiences. Travel he died march 31, 1797, in london, united kingdom. From an early age, olaudah equiano experienced the horrors of slavery first hand. In the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, former slave olaudah equiano tells the story of his life, from the time he and his sister were kidnapped and enslaved, through his emancipation, and subsequent freedom. Though some critics called it propaganda, the book was a financial success. Welcome to the litcharts study guide on olaudah equianos the life of olaudah equiano. Olaudah equiano project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks.
He was born some time around the year 1745 in the kingdom of benin, an area found in presentday nigeria. Older children were often given the task of acting as lookouts and if they saw any traders approaching the village they would let out a loud cry. After his enslavement as a child he bought his freedom and became an author, merchant, and explorer. In 1789 he published his autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano or gustavus vassa, the african. The book is bestknown for its description of the inhumane middle passage to america, which. Jan 01, 2009 one of the most remarkable figures in the history of african literature is olaudah equiano, who is also known as gustavus vassa.
The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, written by himself. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the life of olaudah equiano. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano or gustavus vassa, the african olaudah equiano c. Fortunately for she gained ownership of her fathers property. The interesting narrative, was a best seller, and went to nine editions in equiano s own lifetime.
Olaudah equiano, letter to the committee for the abolition of the slave trade, february 7, 1789. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african. In 1789, the book entitled the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african was published. No 79 the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano by olaudah equiano 1789. Created by the original team behind sparknotes, litcharts are the worlds best literature guides. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano by olaudah. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano by. But, eventually one of his master gave him his freedom. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano ebook written by olaudah equiano. In 1792, equiano married an englishwoman, susanna cullen. His autobiography, published in 1789, helped in the creation of the slave trade act 1807 which ended the african trade for britain and its colonies. His autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, written by.
Equiano was a free man having bought his own freedom for. Olaudah equiano 1745 1797 was an 18thcentury african writer and antislavery campaigner. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano kindle edition by equiano, olaudah. His 1789 autobiography was immensely popular, and he is considered the originator of the slave narrative, although there is controversy regarding his birth. The life of olaudah equiano study guide from litcharts the. Books by olaudah equiano author of the interesting. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or.
Susanna died in february 1796 and just over a year later on 31 march 1797 equiano passed away in london, he was about 52. Other books related to the life of olaudah equiano equianos narrative is often considered the prototypical slave narrative, even though it doesnt perfectly fit into the structure of slavery, escape, and freedom that tends to encapsulate the form. Olaudah equiano recounts his kidnapping at the age of ten in africa, his service as the slave of an officer in the british navy and his years of labour on slave ships until he was able to purchase his freedom in 1766. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano or. Olaudah equiano s interesting narrative, in which the author describes his birth in africa, his enslavement and transportation to america, and his journey from slavery to freedom, was published just a few days before the british parliament first debated the abolition of the slave. Olaudah equiano unfortunately, following the death of his wife, and eldest daughter, leaving his youngest daughter orphan at a very young age. In 1792 equiano married susanna cullen in cambridgeshire and they had two daughters. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano equiano, olaudah on.
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