Narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa. There are very few antislavery books adapted to the young, yet no field could furnish. The life of olaudah equiano ebook written by olaudah equiano. He wrote an autobiography that depicted the horrors of slavery and helped influence british lawmakers to abolish the slave trade through the slave trade act of 1807. Mar 12, 2012 the life of olaudah equiano ebook written by olaudah equiano. Mar 27, 2020 in 1789 olaudah equiano, wheatleys most famous black literary contemporary, published his twovolume autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. Written by himself 1789 behold, god is my salvation. 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. Inspired by the success of the bbcs great britons in 2002, the mayor of london announced a poll to find the 100 great black britons to mark black history month in october 2003. In the 1760s and 1770s he saw action in the mediterranean, the channel and north america. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano or gustavus vassa, the african, written by himself v1. However, he died on 31st march, 1797 before he could complete the task.
Mar 17, 2005 the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african. Olaudah equiano was one of the most prominent people of african heritage involved in the british debate for the abolition of the slave trade. Equiano, for his time, was exceptionally widely travelled. Written by himself the bedford series in history and culture 9780312111274 by equiano, olaudah and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano or. This is an account of the slave trade by a native african, former slave.
Olaudah equiano author of the interesting narrative of the. This book one of the first in europe by a black african writer was an enormous. Lord spiritual and temporal, and the commons of the parliament of great britain. He was made a slave when he was a child but was later able to buy his freedom. Olaudah equiano or gustavus vassa the african 200th. I will trust and not be afraid, for the lord jehovah is my strength and my song.
When he was about ten years old, he was kidnapped by africans known as aros and sold into slavery. He had a shrewd grasp of the political realities of his day. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, olaudah equiano. The 100 black men of london black history challenge. Olaudah equiano was appointed to the expedition to settle former black slaves in sierra leone, on the west coast of africa. He told the story of his life and suffering as a slave. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano 31. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african written by himself language. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Olaudah equiano 17451797 the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, written in 1789, is the autobiography of olaudah equiano. Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process.
Buy a cheap copy of early black british writing new. Zz37389 microfilm, schomburg center for research in black culture, new york public library. Written by himself the bedford series in history and culture by olaudah equiano author, robert j. Olaudah equiano about 17451797 was one of the most prominent people of african heritage involved in the british debate for the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. Equianos enslavement was enforced at sea on royal navy ships. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano the british. Equiano purchased his freedom in 1766 and became active in the british antislavery movement.
An enslaved man who bought his freedom and wrote compellingly about his experiences, olaudah equiano c. The life of olaudah equiano study guide from litcharts. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. Enslaved as a child, he was taken to the caribbean and sold as a slave to a royal navy officer. We believe this work is culturally important and have elected to.
Brycchan careys equiano site the bbcs page on equiano wikipedias equiano page olaudah equiano, one of the top 100 great black britons an equiano page for schools from the discovery channel equiano in soham, cambridgeshire. The best study guide to the life of olaudah equiano on the planet, from the creators of sparknotes. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african written by himself ebook. 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. May 31, 2007 but by far his most important contribution to the abolition movement was his autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano or gustavus vassa, the african, written by himself, which was first published in london in 1789. Olaudah equiano books list of books by author olaudah. Read a brief narrative about the extraordinary life of olaudah equiano discover how this former black slave became involved in the british abolition movement. Olaudah equiano, black britains political founding father. Olaudah equianos 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 trade in 1789. Olaudah equiano simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Ten things to know about olaudah equiano kentake page. Olaudah equiano and the art of spiritual autobiography adam potkay to read equiano as he asks to be read, we must first reexamine his wellknown talkingbook episode, which, strictly speaking, is about a book that refuses to talk. As a free man on a central american plantation, he supervised slaves. Buy by olaudah equiano the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african by olaudah equiano isbn. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african written by. It discusses his time spent in slavery, serving primarily on galleys, documents his attempts at becoming an independent man through his study of the bible, and his eventual success in gaining his own freedom and in business thereafter. Somerset house is delighted to have launched the nominations for 100 great black britons on the first national windrush day 2019, as part of a programme exploring the creative contributions of generations of black pioneers. Here, the older and quite literate equiano recalls his first encounter with books, and his innocence of what they. This is the first of several contemporary editions of his book. His account surprised many with the quality of its imagery. Website resources please find additional website links, reference books and information for further information on great black britons and history.
Although enslaved as a young man, he purchased his freedom and worked as an author, merchant, and explorer in south america, the caribbean, the arctic, the american colonies, and the united. By olaudah equiano the interesting narrative of the life. Birmingham museums and art gallery bmagic online museums collections connecting histories. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano or gustavus vassa, the african. He was born some time around the year 1745 in the kingdom of benin, an area found in presentday nigeria. He describes scenes of outrageous torture and made it clear to his readers how the institution of slavery dehumanized both owner and slave. Africans living in great britain and the british empire during the 18th century. The book fuelled a growing antislavery movement in great britain, europe, and the new world.
Also known as gustavus vassa, olaudah equiano was one of the most prominent africans involved in the british movement of the abolition for the slave trade. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano equiano, olaudah on. This volume combines popular texts with hardtofind selections in a format that enables students to place them in their historical and cultural contexts. Olaudah equiano, the first political leader of britains black community was. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the life of olaudah equiano. As a firsthand account of the horrors of slavery, it was a vital part of the campaign to end that.
The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, written in 1789, is the autobiography of olaudah equiano. Olaudah equiano, tells of his adventures on the high seas and his role. Jan 04, 2018 olaudah equianos 1789 memoir the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african has been named in a list of the 100 best nonfiction books of alltime compiled by robert mccrum, associate editor of the observer, and published in the guardian. Or gustavus vassa, the african equiano, olaudah on.
I am delighted to support the 100 great black britons schools competition. Olaudah equianos most popular book is the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equ. This enabled him to become a british citizen and he began writing about his experiences. The life of olaudah equiano paperback january 21, 2017. One of the most remarkable figures in the history of african literature is olaudah equiano, who is also known as gustavus vassa. Diane abbott ira aldridge dounne alexander baroness valerie amos viv anderson. Jan 01, 2009 published in 1789, equiano s autobiography was the first of its kind to influence a wide audience. Olaudah equianos 1789 memoir the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african has been named in a list of the 100 best nonfiction books of alltime compiled by robert mccrum, associate editor of the observer, and published in the guardian.
This is a pre1923 historical reproduction that was curated for quality. The interesting narrative and other writings olaudah. Olaudah equiano author of the interesting narrative of. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african. Paterson joseph describes how his research into black british history led him to. Olaudah equianos 1789 memoir named in this list of the. Olaudah equiano books list of books by author olaudah equiano. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano by. Olaudah equiano s most popular book is the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equ. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african olaudah equiano 6802 downloads. See all books authored by olaudah equiano, including the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. The life of olaudah equiano by olaudah equiano books on.
The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or. But it is one of the first in a long tradition of memoirs by former slaves that. 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. Olaudah equiano has 94 books on goodreads with 32822 ratings. Project gutenberg offers 60,363 free ebooks for kindle, ipad, nook. The life of olaudah equiano study guide from litcharts the. Olaudah equianos 1789 memoir named in this list of the 100. Books by olaudah equiano author of the interesting. A british citizen who had experienced enslavement in the americas, equiano has been traditionally regarded, along. Olaudah equiano and the art of spiritual autobiography. Check out the new look and enjoy easier access to your favorite features. In 1789 he published his autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano or gustavus vassa, the african. He was sent to barbados, then to colonial virginia, and then sold to a british naval officer.
In february 2004, mary seacole was voted the greatest black briton of all time. Copies of his book were sent to george iii and leading politicians. By olaudah equiano the interesting narrative of the life of. For instructors, the collection offers reliable texts, stimulating context pieces, and.
Equiano was born in what is now nigeria and sold into slavery aged 11. The interesting narrative by olaudah equiano, paperback. He was sold twice more but purchased his freedom in 1766. The list, reportedly, took him two years to get ready. Olaudah equiano simple english wikipedia, the free. 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.
Books by olaudah equiano author of the interesting narrative. Aug 07, 2017 the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano by olaudah equiano is published by norton critical edition. His autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. Buy the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano by equiano, olaudah isbn. This was one of the best book purchases that i have ever made. From an early age, olaudah equiano experienced the horrors of slavery first hand. It is one of the earliest books published by a black african writer. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african.
Published in 1789, equianos autobiography was the first of its kind to influence a wide audience. Discover the life of olaudah equinao, a memoir on the british librarys. But, eventually one of his master gave him his freedom. Full text of the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african. Olaudah equiano 1745 1797 was an 18thcentury african writer and antislavery campaigner.
One of the most significant developments in current literary studies is the rediscovery and reevaluation of texts by british writers of african descent. He worked as an author, merchant, and explorer in south america, the caribbean, the arctic, the american colonies, and the united kingdom. Though we have made best efforts the books may have occasional errors that do not impede the reading experience. 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. Equianos work became an important part of the abolitionist cause, because he was able to portray. Equiano made his way to london, where he worked briefly in a government office helping resettle blacks in africa, probably making him the first black british civil servant. In 1792, equiano married an englishwoman, susanna cullen, and they had two daughters.
682 83 1260 194 1323 481 1288 1407 142 555 656 1299 443 731 1418 385 332 817 1471 120 1412 1196 712 169 882 807 784 1319 392 51 624 1495 174 1088 769 348 1382 153 97 896 961 745 598 895 909 1339 1347 270