Olaudah equiano, was a former enslaved african, seaman and merchant who wrote an. The life of olaudah equiano one of the first books in europe written by a black african writer is an autobiographical work that was first published in 1789. Litcharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in the life of olaudah equiano, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. He describes how he was kidnapped with his sister at around the age of. When he was about eleven, equiano was kidnapped and sold to slave traders headed to the west indies. Olaudah equiano s most popular book is the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equ. The trials of british romanticism, which studies the. In his biography, he records he was born in what is now nigeria, kidnapped and sold into slavery as a child. He told the story of his life and suffering as a slave. Make sure you purchase this book before they are all sold out. Olaudah equiano 1745 1797 was an 18thcentury african writer and antislavery campaigner.
Published in 1789, equianos autobiography was the first of its kind to influence a wide audience. Later, when equianos origins were questioned after his book was published, the guerins testified to his lack of english when he first came to. The project gutenberg ebook of the interesting narrative of. The ability of this cultured and intelligent man to relate firsthand the horrors. Olaudah equiano, selfproclaimed west african sold into slavery and later freed. We cannot guarantee that the life of olaudah equiano book is in the library, but if you are still not sure with the service, you can choose free trial service. Written by himself by olaudah equiano olaudah equiano created a record of the 18th century slave trade through his firsthand knowledge and experiences and the writing of this book. The title says the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano and it certainly was interesting. Summary of the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. Title page from the first edition of the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah. An illustrated biography almost everything we know about the first ten years of equiano s life we find from equiano s own account in the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, published in 1789.
The first autobiography written by a former slave, olaudah equiano s the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano is also one of the most widelyread and wellregarded of the slave narrative genre. Unabridged english value reproduction of the life of olaudah equiano. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, written by himself audiobook by olaudah equiano 17451797. His autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, written by himself.
Read a brief narrative about the extraordinary life of olaudah equiano discover how this. About the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. Pdf the life of olaudah equiano ebooks includes pdf. Olaudah equiano was born in 1745 in eboe, in what is now nigeria.
These among other flashbacks stated by olaudah shows that indeed his origin was in nigeria. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano was first published in 1789 and had a major influence on public opinion regarding the institution of slavery. Present paper utilizes first hand accounts to study the treatment of slaves, both native and african. Equiano purchased his freedom in 1766 and became active in the british antislavery movement. In an attempt to preserve, improve and recreate the original content, we have worked towards. Books by olaudah equiano author of the interesting narrative. The life of olaudah equiano study guide from litcharts. Nov 05, 2019 these among other flashbacks stated by olaudah shows that indeed his origin was in nigeria. Equianos account of his birth and early life, and how he and his sister were kidnapped and enslaved. Aug 07, 2017 the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano by olaudah equiano is published by norton critical edition. Though he spent a brief period in the state of virginia, much of equianos time in slavery was spent serving the captains of slave ships and british navy vessels.
An illustrated biography almost everything we know about the first ten years of equianos life we find from equianos own account in the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, published in 1789. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african written by himself by equiano, olaudah and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The project gutenberg ebook of the interesting narrative. He eventually accummulated enough money to free and educate himself, and make his way thru the world as a free man. The first autobiography written by a former slave, olaudah equianos the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano is also one of the most widelyread and wellregarded of the slave narrative genre. Widely admired for its vivid accounts of the slave trade, olaudah equiano s autobiography the first slave narrative to attract a significant readership reveals many aspects of the eighteenthcentury western world through the experiences of one individual. The project gutenberg ebook of the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, by olaudah equiano this ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. Olaudah gives a first hand account of his capture, slavery, and adventures. Older children were often given the task of acting as lookouts and if they saw any traders approaching the. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah this book is a result of an effort made by us towards making a contribution to the preservation and repair of original classic literature. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african. The interesting life of olaudah equiano describes his life as. Olaudah equiano has 80 books on goodreads with 32988 ratings.
But it is one of the first in a long tradition of memoirs by former slaves that. We personally assess every books quality and offer rare, outofprint treasures. Equiano became an abolitionist and a businessman, and applied the skills of these callings to his book, publicising it with flair and using book promotion events to. The life of olaudah equiano, first edition the british library.
He continues that he was the youngest son, and thus his mother. He was born some time around the year 1745 in the kingdom of benin, an area found in presentday nigeria. He was born in the eboe province of africa, and provides cultural detail on those people. It became a bestseller and was translated into many languages. He eventually accummulated enough money to free and educate himself, and make his way thru the. See all books authored by olaudah equiano, including the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. In this, equiano tells us that he was born around the year 1745 in an area called eboe in guinea.
Equianos narrative is often considered the prototypical slave narrative, even though it doesnt perfectly fit into the structure of slavery, escape, and freedom that tends to encapsulate the form. Equiano was about 12 when he first arrived in england. Summary of the interesting narrative of the life of. It was published in 1789, at a time when its author was wellknown in english abolitionist circles. However, i kept asking myself why reading this autobiography felt more like reading gullivers travels than a former slaves account of his life. But, eventually one of his master gave him his freedom. This classic is a must read because olaudah writes as if the reader is right there with him, relating his story, feeling his success and his pains.
Equiano selfpublished his narrative, funded by subscribers who ordered copies of the book in advance of its publication. Equiano begins his firstperson narrative by including several letters that attest to both the veracity of his text and his good character. Olaudah equiano books list of books by author olaudah. Olaudah equiano, was a former enslaved african, seaman and merchant who wrote an autobiography depicting the horrors of slavery and lobbied parliament for its abolition.
This enabled him to become a british citizen and he began writing about his experiences. Olaudah equianos most popular book is the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equ. Olaudah equiano, also known as gustavas vassa, earned his place in history by writing what is considered the first slave narrative. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano the british. The author, olaudah equiano, was born in nigeria and captured as a child and sold of to slavery in the new world. Biography of a selfmade man 2005 show olaudah equianos birthplace as south carolina. Googles latest doodle marks what would have been the 272nd birthday of olaudah equiano 17461797, the african writer whose memoir gave. Interesting narrative life olaudah equiano, first edition.
While young children, he and his sister were seized by kidnappers and sold to. Equiano published his autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, in 1789 as a twovolume work. Equiano begins his first person narrative by including several letters that attest to both the veracity of his text and his good character. Edited and with notes by shelly eversley introduction by robert reidpharr in this truly astonishing eighteenthcentury memoir, olaudah equiano recounts his remarkable life story, which begins when he is kidnapped in africa as a boy and sold into slavery and culminates when he has achieved renown as a british antislavery advocate. The life of olaudah equiano study guide from litcharts the.
Still known by his slave name, olaudah equiano had written his autobiography, now considered the first widely read and influential slave narrative. It was the first influential slave narrative of what became a large literary genre. Jan 01, 2009 published in 1789, equiano s autobiography was the first of its kind to influence a wide audience. He was sent to barbados, then to colonial virginia, and then sold to a british naval officer. The proceeds from the book allowed equiano to campaign tirelessly for abolition and his efforts played a major role in the enactment of the 1807 slave trade act. For the nearly 300 years that preceded olaudah equianos writing of his life, the international slave trade had shrunk the world like never before. It discusses his time spent in slavery, serving primarily on galleys, documents his attempts at becoming an independent man through his study of the bible, and his eventual success in gaining his own freedom and in business thereafter.
Books by olaudah equiano author of the interesting. However, the baptismal record of 1759 as well as a 1773 ship muster as stated by the scholar vincent carretta in the book equiano, the african. The life of olaudah equiano, with an introduction by historian henry louis gates. When olaudah equiano published his autobiography in. Older children were often given the task of acting as lookouts and if they saw any traders approaching the village they would let out a loud cry. According to his famous autobiography, written in 1789, he was born in what is now nigeria. Olaudah equiano was born in 1745 in the african country that is now nigeria. Jul 16, 20 the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, written by himself audiobook by olaudah equiano 17451797. This electronic edition has been created by optical. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, first published in 1789, is the autobiography of olaudah equiano. It is one of the earliest books published by a black african writer. Equianos book, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavas vassa, the african, has been analyzed from dozens of angles by countless historians and scholars.
The book began with a petition addressed to parliament and ended with his antislavery letter to the queen. In that book and in his later miscellaneous verses 1789. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or. It is considered both a window into the life of a slave and freedman in the mid.
The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equian. Widely admired for its vivid accounts of the slave trade, olaudah equianos autobiography the first slave narrative to attract a significant readership reveals many aspects of the eighteenthcentury western world through the experiences of one individual. The narrative is argued to represent a variety of styles, such as a slavery narrative, travel narrative, and spiritual narrative. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. His 1789 autobiography was immensely popular, and he is considered the originator of the slave narrative, although there is controversy regarding his birth. Olaudah equiano composed the firstever slave autobiography as a freed slave living in england.
The tens of thousands of people who read equianos book, or heard him speak, started to see. Pdf the life of olaudah equiano ebooks includes pdf, epub. Summary of the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. In his autobiography, olaudah equiano writes that he was born in the eboe province, in the area that is now southern nigeria. In order to read online or download the life of olaudah equiano ebooks in pdf, epub, tuebl and mobi format, you need to create a free account. Though he spent a brief period in the state of virginia, much of equiano s time in slavery was spent serving the captains of slave ships and british navy vessels. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, written in 1789, is the autobiography of olaudah equiano. The book describes equianos time spent in slavery, and documents his attempts at becoming an independent man through his study of the bible, and his eventual conversion to christianity. Captured far from the african coast when he was a boy of 11, olaudah equiano was sold into slavery, later acquired his freedom, and, in 1789, wrote his widelyread autobiography, the interesting. It is the engrossing story in living detail of an igbo prince, his enslavement, and freedom. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, first published in 1789 in london, is the autobiography of olaudah equiano.
Equiano asks to be excused for laying out in such detail the customs of his native country. The electronic edition is a part of the uncch digitization project, documenting the american south. Olaudah equiano books list of books by author olaudah equiano. In this, equiano tells us that he was born around the year 1745 in an area called eboe. It went through one american and eight british editions during his lifetime. Equiano travelled widely to promote the book, and became wealthy from its royalties. Olaudah equianos epic book tour for his bestselling firsthand account of slavery changed the british abolitionist movement.
Olaudah equiano composed the first ever slave autobiography as a freed slave living in england. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano by. The life of olaudah equiano study guide gradesaver. Equianos work became an important part of the abolitionist cause, because he was able to portray. He describes scenes of outrageous torture and made it clear to his readers how the institution of slavery dehumanized both owner and slave. One of the first africans to publish a book, his autobiography the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african was very popular and helped support the. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, written in 1789, details its writers life in slavery, his time spent serving on galleys, the eventual attainment of his own freedom and later success in business. From an early age, olaudah equiano experienced the horrors of slavery first hand. The adults worked in the fields during the day leaving the children to fend for themselves in the village.