A biography that changed the world
Varun Sarabudla TB 7 12/17/14
The autobiography of Olaudah Equiano contributed to the value of abolition by being as influential as propaganda, giving people a whole new view on slavery and how it was experienced. Olaudah Equiano's indirect influence helped his abolitionist values be projected around the world with literature and his individual tours. He did not fight for social equality in only America, as he traveled to London to continue to project his book everywhere, continuing to democracy and equality worldwide.
His autobiography
The piece of literature was entitled:
The Interesting Narrative of The Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African
- One of the earliest published writings by a slave to be read.
- Had a completely different experience in the field of slavery, since he learned to read and write.
- He also did not participate in the backbreaking work of usual slaves, instead he went out to sea to trade and serve his master.
- The gruesome journey on a slave ship he described in his book was taken action against by Olaudah himself, since he lead a delegation to improve conditions on slave ships.
This diagram shows a slave ship that was outfitted to carry slaves during the Middle Passage. When the business of slave trading was booming, Olaudah was sent in one of these filthy ships which was outlined in his autobiography.
Thomas Clarkson
Thomas Clarkson was a friend of Equiano who was an English abolitionist. He wrote letters of introduction to promote Olaudah's autobiography and was campaigning against slavery worldwide.
This picture was hand drawn by Olaudah Equiano himself, which is a self-portrait. This was also the cover page for his autobiography.
The Interesting Narrative Of The Life Of Olaudah Equiano