Where was Olaudah Equiano born and raised?
Olaudah Equiano was born in the year 1745 in the Kingdom of Benin, which today in the southern region of the modern country of Nigeria. The Kingdom of Benin was located along the western cost of Africa, which was a common route of European slave traders who then transported the slaves to the New World.
Why was Olaudah Equiano named Gustavus Vassa?
Equiano was renamed Gustavus Vassa (after the 16th century Swedish King) by Pascal, against his will. It was nonetheless a name he would use for the rest of his life, apart from when writing his autobiography. 5. He served in the Seven Years War Equiano spent most of his teenage life onboard Naval ships engaged in the Seven Years War.
When was the Interesting Narrative of Olaudah Equiano published?
Olaudah Equiano’s account was a slave narrative titled ‘The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Or Gustavus Vassa, The African’ but is more commonly known as ‘The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano’. It was published in 1789.
Why was Olaudah Equiano important to the abolitionist movement?
He travelled widely promoting the book, which became immensely popular, helped the abolitionist cause, and made Equiano a wealthy man. It is one of the earliest books published by a black African writer. In 1792, Equiano married an Englishwoman, Susanna Cullen, and they had two daughters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ3lngT124A
What did Olaudah Equiano do in the Seven Years War?
Pascal took Equiano with him when he returned to England and had him accompany him as a valet during the Seven Years‘ War with France. Also trained in seamanship, Equiano was expected to assist the ship’s crew in times of battle; his duty was to haul gunpowder to the gun decks.
How did Olaudah Equiano become Gustavus Vassa?
Olaudah Equiano (c.1745 – 1797) In Virginia he was sold to a Royal Navy officer, Lieutenant Michael Pascal, who renamed him ‚Gustavus Vassa‘ after the 16th-century Swedish king. Equiano travelled the oceans with Pascal for eight years, during which time he was baptised and learned to read and write.
Where did Olaudah Equiano go to resettle the Black Poor?
Equiano was appointed to an expedition to resettle London’s Black Poor in Freetown, a new British colony founded on the west coast of Africa, at present-day Sierra Leone.