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Olaudah Equiano

  • Olaudah Equiano was born

    Olaudah Equiano was born
    It is unknown the exact date that Olaudah was born but it is known that he was born in 1745. Olaudah writes that he was born in the Eboe Province, in the area that is now south nigeria.
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    Olaudah Equiano

  • Olaudah captured and sold into slavery

    Olaudah captured and sold into slavery
    He describes that he was kidnapped with his sister around the age of 11 by local slave traders and shipped across the atlantic to Barbados and then to Virginia.
  • Olaudah was to a British Royal Navy

    Olaudah was to a British Royal Navy
    Olaudah was sold to Lieutenant Michael Pascal. Pascal renamed Olaudah "Gustavas Vassa" after the 16th century swedish king. Equiano travelled the oceans with Pascal for 8 years during which time he was baptised and learn to read and write.
  • Olaudah Equiano sold to ship captain in london

    Olaudah Equiano sold to ship captain in london
    Olaudah Equiano was sold by Pascal to a ship capatain who took him to Montserrat, where he was purchased by a prominent merchant Robert King.
  • Equiano purchases freedom

    Equiano purchases freedom
    Whiler working as a deckhand, valet and a barber for King, Equiano earned money by trading on the side. In just three years Equiano had enough money to buy his own freedom at 40 pounds.
  • Oluadah becomes abolitionist after travelling for 20 years.

    Oluadah becomes abolitionist after travelling for 20 years.
    After buying his freedom Equiano spent 20 years travelling the globe. Trips include visits to Turkey and the Artic. During this time he went to england and worked as a Hairdresser. However he found this business lacking in income and he went back to the shipping industry. He then went to a expedition to the artic before returning to England and becoming an abolitionist. He was a prominent member of "Sons of Africa," a group of 12 black men who campaigned for abolition.
  • Olaudah publishes autobiography

    Olaudah publishes autobiography
    Olaudah published his autobiography "The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa, the African" He travelled to promote his new book, which became widely popular. This book is one of the earliest books published by a black african writer.
  • Equiano gets married

    Equiano gets married
    Olaudah Equiano marries an english woman named Susanna Cullen. They had two daughters.
  • Olaudah Equiano passes away

    Olaudah Equiano passes away
    Olaudah Equiano passed away on 31st March 1797 at the age of 52. He was buried in Cambridge shire england.