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1745 - Born in Essaka (in present-day Nigeria). A self-proclaimed West African sold into slavery and later freed.
1756 - Equiano was kidnapped at age 11 and taken to the West Indies. From there he went to Virginia, where he was purchased by a sea captain, Michael Henry Pascal, with whom he traveled widely.
1766 - He received some education before he bought his own freedom.
1786 - In London, he became involved in the movement to abolish slavery. He was a prominent member of the 'Sons of Africa', a group of 12 black men who campaigned for abolition.
1788 - As a major voice in this movement, Equiano petitioned the Queen of England.
1789 - His autobiography, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano; or, Gustavus Vassa, the African, Written by Himself, with its strong abolitionist stance and detailed description of life in Nigeria, was so popular that in his lifetime it ran through nine English editions and one U.S. printing and was translated into Dutch, German, and Russian.
- Equiano's most important work is his autobiography, which became a best seller, rivaled in popularity by Defoe's Robinson Crusoe.
- In his later Miscellaneous Verses, he idealizes Africa and shows great pride in the African way of life, while attacking those Africans who trafficked in slavery (a perspective further shown by his setting forth not only the injustices and humiliations endured by slaves but also his own experience of kindness, that of his master and a community of English women).
1792 - Equiano married an Englishwoman, Susanna Cullen, and they had two daughters.
1797 - Equiano died on the 31st of March.
2001 - A critical edition of The Interesting Narrative, edited by Werner Sollors—which includes an extensive introduction, selected variants of the several editions, contextual documents, and early and modern criticism—was published.
1756 - Equiano was kidnapped at age 11 and taken to the West Indies. From there he went to Virginia, where he was purchased by a sea captain, Michael Henry Pascal, with whom he traveled widely.
1766 - He received some education before he bought his own freedom.
1786 - In London, he became involved in the movement to abolish slavery. He was a prominent member of the 'Sons of Africa', a group of 12 black men who campaigned for abolition.
1788 - As a major voice in this movement, Equiano petitioned the Queen of England.
1789 - His autobiography, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano; or, Gustavus Vassa, the African, Written by Himself, with its strong abolitionist stance and detailed description of life in Nigeria, was so popular that in his lifetime it ran through nine English editions and one U.S. printing and was translated into Dutch, German, and Russian.
- Equiano's most important work is his autobiography, which became a best seller, rivaled in popularity by Defoe's Robinson Crusoe.
- In his later Miscellaneous Verses, he idealizes Africa and shows great pride in the African way of life, while attacking those Africans who trafficked in slavery (a perspective further shown by his setting forth not only the injustices and humiliations endured by slaves but also his own experience of kindness, that of his master and a community of English women).
1792 - Equiano married an Englishwoman, Susanna Cullen, and they had two daughters.
1797 - Equiano died on the 31st of March.
2001 - A critical edition of The Interesting Narrative, edited by Werner Sollors—which includes an extensive introduction, selected variants of the several editions, contextual documents, and early and modern criticism—was published.
  | Page last updated: 2:25pm, 07th Apr '07 |
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The Interesting Narrative and Other Writings: Revised Edition (Penguin Classics) by Olaudah Equiano (Paperback - May 27, 2003) An exciting and often terrifying adventure story, as well as an important precursor to such famous nineteenth-century slave narratives as Frederick Douglass's autobiographies, Olaudah Equiano's...  Usually ships in 24 hours |
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The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African by Olaudah Equiano (Paperback - Aug 2, 2007) Permit me, with the greatest deference and respect, to lay at your feet the following genuine Narrative; the chief design of which is to excite in your august assemblies a sense of compassion for the...  Usually ships in 24 hours |
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The Life of Olaudah Equiano (Dover Thrift Editions) by Olaudah Equiano (Paperback - Jan 26, 1999) Compelling work traces the formidable journey of an Igbo prince from captivity to freedom and literacy and recounts his enslavement in the New World, service in the Seven Years War, voyages to the... Usually ships in 24 hours |
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The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano: Written by Himself by Olaudah Equiano (Paperback - Apr 7, 2006) Widely admired for its vivid accounts of the slave trade, Olaudah Equiano's autobiography -- the first slave narrative to attract a significant readership -- reveals many aspects of the...  Usually ships in 24 hours |
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Sold as a Slave (Penguin Great Journeys) by Olaudah Equiano (Paperback - Sep 25, 2007) Inspired by Penguins innovative Great Ideas series, our new Great Journeys series presents the most incredible tours, voyages, treks, expeditions, and travels ever writtenfrom Isabella Birds... Usually ships in 24 hours |
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The Interesting Narrative in the Life of Olaudah Equiano (Norton Critical Editions) by Olaudah Equiano (Paperback - Oct 25, 2000) Olaudiah Equiano's 1789 narrative tells the remarkable story of his childhood in Africa, his kidnapping and subsequent years as a slave and seaman, and his eventual road to freedom in the Caribbean...  Usually ships in 24 hours |
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