Olaudah equiano, selfproclaimed west african sold into slavery and later freed. His 1789 autobiography was immensely popular, and he is considered the originator of the slave narrative, although there is controversy regarding his birth. Biography of a self made man 2005, the life and letters of philip quaque the first african anglican missionary 2010. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read sold as a slave. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano kindle edition by equiano, olaudah. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, written in 1789, is the autobiography of olaudah equiano. Equianos moving account delves into his experience as a sailor and explores the importance of his religious education. Kings entreaties, he resolved to go on another voyage to georgia, since the mate was still ill. Completely revised and edited with an introduction and notes by vincent carretta an exciting and often terrifying adventure story, as well as an important precursor. Olaudah equiano wrote the interesting narrative at a time when many. Sold as a slave by olaudah equiano nook book ebook.
Or gustavus vassa, the african ebook written by olaudah equiano. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano essays are academic essays for citation. He told the story of his life and suffering as a slave. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano or gustavus vassa, the. A biography of equiano, information on the historical background, commentary by prof. The life of olaudah equiano chapter xi summary and.
His claims of being born in eboe now southern nigeria and being captured and. More than ever equiano wanted to return to england, but in response to mr. 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. Olaudah equiano simple english wikipedia, the free. Editor joanna brooks and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. One of the most remarkable figures in the history of african literature is olaudah equiano, who is also known as gustavus vassa. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. A short animation partially adapted from the book with a third act set in 1838 when slavery is abolished. Olaudah equiano books list of books by author olaudah. Olaudah equiano 17451797, known as gustavas vassa during his lifetime, was a freed african slave who became an author, and abolitionist, best known for stirring compassion about the inhumanity of the slave trade in his autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavas vassa, the african 1789. He was sent to barbados, then to colonial virginia, and then sold to a british naval. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano by olaudah. Check out the new look and enjoy easier access to your favorite features.
Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the life of olaudah equiano. The university library, the university of north carolina at chapel hill. Olaudah equianoslave olaudah equiano the life and writings of olaudah equiano olaudah equiano was a nigerian who by his own account was sold into slavery at the age of eleven but later became wellknown as a recognized author and abolitionist. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano first appeared in. His most recent books are the authoritative equiano, the african. Carretta also notes that a few short passages in the long book had. In south carolina and georgia, two very different black societies emerged. Buy the paperback book the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. Stunned, equiano asked if he could get his books and clothes, but pascal said that equiano couldnt leave his sight. See all books authored by olaudah equiano, including the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano.
In this autobiography, the author, olaudah equiano, detailed his life journey from african captivity to atlantic slavery to british freedom. It went through one american and eight british editions during his lifetime. He was born into an igbo community that he called essaka, or most probably isieke, in what is now the ihiala local government area of the anambra state of nigeria. Full text online at documenting the american south. He was made a slave when he was a child but was later able to buy his freedom. I hanover historical texts project scanned and proofread by kathleen diekhoff, may 1998. He was taken to the west indies where his slave name became gustavus, after a 16th century swedish king. An enslaved man who bought his freedom and wrote compellingly about his experiences, olaudah equiano c. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa book. He worked as an author, merchant, and explorer in south america, the caribbean, the arctic, the american colonies, and the united kingdom. The interesting narrative and other writings 1995, 2003. Olaudah equiano in georgia new georgia encyclopedia. Slave narratives comprise one of the most influential traditions in american. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african.
Proofread and pages added by jonathan perry, march 2001. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano wikipedia. He was sold twice more but purchased his freedom in 1766. Enslaved as a child, he was taken to the caribbean and sold as a slave to a royal navy officer. Under a new captain, william phillips, they took slaves and set sail. Summary of the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. Books by olaudah equiano author of the interesting. This link has information about northups later life. In 2007, the first edition of equianos book was carried in procession at a special. Summary of the interesting narrative of the life of. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano.
And in that day shall ye say, praise the lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, written by himself. He claimed that he was a private and obscure individual and neither a saint, a hero, nor a tyrant. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the. In an adventurous and extraordinary life, equiano c. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, written by himself, became a bestseller both in england and america, and fueled the beginnings of an antislavery movement. Olaudah equiano, letter to the committee for the abolition of the slave trade, february 7, 1789. Though his origins arent clear, he purchased his freedom from. Visit our technical specifications page for information about the seminar forum and classroom view a brief introduction to aic online seminars assigned readings. The book describes equianos time spent in enslavement, and documents his. In the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, former slave olaudah equiano tells the story of his life, from the time he and his sister were kidnapped and enslaved, through his emancipation, and subsequent freedom. Three nights in a row equiano dreamed of a shipwreck in which he saved all on board.
Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, first. His editions include the authoritative olaudah equiano. His account of his life is not only one of the great documents of the abolition. Some scholars, notably vincent carretta, have questioned. Slaves in the cities of charleston and savannah assimilated more quickly into euro american culture. Communities on rice plantations retained significant african cultural elements e. The life of olaudah equiano bibliography gradesaver. Buy a cheap copy of the interesting narrative of the life of. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of the autobiography of olaudah equiano. In twelve chapters, equiano presented a body of evidence that helped to support the cause of abolition and the end of transatlantic slaving by britain and others. Olaudah equiano, letter to james tobin, january 28, 1788. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of the interesting narrative of the life of olauduh equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african by olaudah equiano. Currently docsouth includes sixteen thematic collections of books, diaries, posters, artifacts, letters, oral history interviews, and songs.
I will trust and not be afraid, for the lord jehovah is my strength and my song. Published in 1789, equianos autobiography was the first of its kind to influence a wide audience. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. Proofread and posted by raluca preotu, august 1999. Written by himself the bedford series in history and culture by olaudah equiano and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Published in 1789, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african written by himself is one of the first and most popular slave narratives, running through nine editions in his lifetime and appearing in posthumous translations into german and dutch. Olaudah equiano 17451797 the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, written in 1789, is the autobiography of olaudah equiano. The interesting narrative and other writings, by olaudah equiano. He has obviously done a great service in documenting the discrepancies in the record and in.
Interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano or. Olaudah equiano the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african london, 1789. This book contains an account of his florida and northern trip, written by himself, giving much valuable information of the people among whom he had been several months. Equiano published his autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, in 1789 as a twovolume work. Europe, turkey, great britain, south america, and even the arctic, providing a. Documenting the american south docsouth is a digital publishing initiative that provides internet access to texts, images, and audio files related to southern history, literature, and culture. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano or gustavus vassa, the african. In 1773 he accompanied irving on a polar expedition in search of a northeast passage from europe to asia. 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. Or, gustavus vassa, the african by olaudah equiano at indigo. Equiano, born around 1745, recounts in the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african the memories of his childhood in an inland village of presentday nigeria, the shock of his kidnapping and transport to the coast, the agony of separation from his family, and the horror of the middle passage.