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Introduction
The purpose of the timeline is to provide brief biographical summary of Olaudah Equiano life. He was a writer and abolitionist, whom played major role in ending the transatlantic slave trade. -
Birth
Oladau Equiano was born in 1745 in Essaka, Nigeria. Present day located in the southwestern region of the country
Image Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igbo_people#/media/File:Igbo_Community_in_Nigeria_and_Africa.svg -
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Kidnapped and Childhood
At age 11 he was kidnapped along his sister, and was sold to Slave traders. Once sold to the traders he endures the middle passage to Barbados and Virginia. When he arrived to his final destination in Virginia he was sold to a British Naval Officer Michael Henry Pascal and renamed Gustavus Vassa During this time period he learns how to read and write, also he serves with his owner for the Royal Navy in the Seven Years War with France. Moreover he gets baptized at St Margaret's church England -
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Early Life
Equiano is sold to Captain James Doran of the ship "Charming Sally" and is taken back to Montserrat. Then he was bought by an American, Robert King where he works as a secretary, partly in the West Indies. While serving for King he saved his salary to buy his own freedom. -
Freedom
Olaudah finally manages to buy his own freedom to his owner King by paying 40 pounds -
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Later Life
During this period of time Equiano spends much of his time traveling a protest against slave trade. First he sails from Bahama to London as a freed man. Then he sailed to Italy and Turkey. He also joins the slave uprising on Montserrat. Moreover joines the expedition to the Arctic, returns to the West Indies then heads to England, became an abolitionist. -
Marriage and Family
He marries a British woman named Susan Cullen, they end up having two daughters. Unfortunately his wife dies in 1796.
Image Link: http://www.igbofocus.co.uk/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie/Chinua_Achebe/Man_Of_The_Year/Philip_Emeagwali/Articles_on_Slave_Trade/articles_on_slave_trade.html -
Methodist
Olaudah Equiano decides to join the Methodist church due to his belief and understating of the Methodist church -
Movement to Abolish Slavery
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 also was appointed commissary to Sierra Leone recolonization expedition on the Committee for Relief of Black Poor in London. -
Autobiography
He publish his autobiography narrative entitled, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano: Gustavus Vassa, the African". The book became immensely popular, which helped the abolitionist cause also helped gain wealth to Equiano
Image link: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part1/1h313b.html -
Death
Olaudah Equiano unfortunately, following the death of his wife, and eldest daughter, leaving his youngest daughter orphan at a very young age. Fortunately for she gained ownership of her father's property.
Image Link: https://islandmeri.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/dsc_0068-2.jpg
