The Life of Olaudah Equiano

Nigerian Olaudah Equiano was kidnapped as a child and sold into slavery. With the help of his master, Robert King, he was able to purchase his freedom by his early twenties. King taught Equiano to read and write and allowed him to trade for his own profit as well as for that of his master’s. King wanted Equiano to stay on as his business partner but Equiano refused. He saw the British colonies as dangerous, as he was almost kidnapped back into slavery in Georgia. He was released but only after proving his education. Settling in London, Equiano became an abolitionist. Many of his abolitionist friends encouraged him to write an autobiography. It was well received and remains a significant text in both African American literature and history.