Equiano, Olaudah

c.1745-1797 · Contribution: 1789

Literature & Writing

Autobiography and abolitionist writing; 'The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African' (1789) described his capture in Africa, the Middle Passage, enslavement, and eventual freedom

Literature & Writing — collage image
Literature & Writing

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Quick facts

Born
c.1745-1797
Category
Literature & Writing

Impact on the world

Equiano's narrative put a human face on the horrors of the slave trade for a mass European readership, directly advancing the movement to abolish it.

Sources

  1. British Library

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