March 21st 1797: Olaudah Equiano dies
On this day in 1797, the abolitonist Olaudah Equiano died in London aged 51/52. Equiano wrote in his autobiography that he was born in Nigeria, and was kidnapped and sold into slavery when he was 11. He was shipped to Barbados then Virginia before being sold to a British officer in the Royal Navy. During this time, Equiano travelled widely with his new master, and experienced battle in the Seven Years’ War. He was taught to read and write by the sailors, and was baptised in 1759. He was later sold to a merchant in the West Indies, and worked as a deckhand, valet and barber. Equiano began to trade privately, independent of his master, and eventually earned enough money to buy his own freedom. After years of enslavement, Equiano was now a free man. He spent the following years traveling extensively, and in the 1780s returned to London. There, he became deeply involved in the anti-slavery movement, joining the ‘Sons of Africa’ group of black abolitionists and working with the Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade. The publication of his autobiography in 1789 highlighed the horrors of slavery, describing in graphic detail the horrendous conditions endured by African slaves. Equiano’s candid account was a bestseller and, coupled with his powerful speaking tours across Britain, it bolstered the abolitionist cause. Equiano’s involvement contibuted to Britain’s abolition of the slave trade in 1807, which was followed by the total abolition of slavery throughout the empire in 1833. Equiano married in 1792, and became involved in the campaign for universal suffrage. He was tasked with settling former slaves in Sierra Leone, but died before he could emark on the expedition. Olaudah Equiano has been hailed as the father of African literature, and is remembered for his role in bringing an end to the slave trade.
“But is not the slave trade entirely a war with the heart of man? And surely that which is begun by breaking down the barriers of virtue involves in its continuance destruction to every principle, and buries all sentiments in ruin!”�- from The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano.

Did Nigeria exist in the 18th century? Some people will soon say he is Nmadi Kanu's great grandfather and he is a jew

my great grand father was a victim of slave trade i know i have cousins across americas and europa.

dealslip:
Did Nigeria exist in the 18th century? Some people will soon say he is Nmadi Kanu's great grandfather and he is a jew

get well soon

dealslip:
Did Nigeria exist in the 18th century? Some people will soon say he is Nmadi Kanu's great grandfather and he is a jew

^^^
Afonja una no de disappoint....smh

Ben Carson should go and buy a copy of his book to read so as to know that black americans are not immigrants that came into america at the bottom of the ship; but people whose ansectors were yanked off from their communities into slavery in america in the most horrendous manner any human being could ever imagine

dealslip:
Did Nigeria exist in the 18th century? Some people will soon say he is Nmadi Kanu's great grandfather and he is a jew

Fallen demon descendant. Equiano was born in Iseke, a town in Ihiala LGA of present Anambra State. This is a reminder for you and your folly who would like to think that Igbos suddenly started agitation for freedom and full human rights in 2015. It's inborn.

ThugCheetah:
get well soon

Mtschewwww. Ewu me

conductor1:

Fallen demon descendant. Equiano was born in Iseke, a town in Ihiala LGA of present Anambra State. This is a reminder for you and your folly who would like to think that Igbos suddenly started agitation for freedom and full human rights in 2015. It's inborn.

Mtschewwwew. Ewu me. Nor be una dey always claim everyone's property or name. Jews

thwarrior72:

^^^
Afonja una no de disappoint....smh

Ewu me. Mtschewwww. Jews and descendants of Jacob.