Olaudah Equiano

“ I might say my sufferings were great; but when I compare my lot with that of most of my country men, I regard myself as a particular favorite of heaven….” This essay will discuss information about Olaudah Equiano’s early life, life as an author, and his connection to the Colonial Period. Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the son of a chief, was born around 1745. Equiano lived in Essaka, a Nigerian village. At age 11, Olaudah and his sister was kidnapped and brought to the new world. During the time spent on the ship, Olaudah witnessed rape and mutilation. He even witnessed someone being severely beaten until his or her bones were broken. Sold into slavery at such a young age in present-day Virginia to a planter, Equiano was later bought by a British naval officer. Captain Michael Pascal, Olaudah’s slaver owner, gave him the other name Gustavus Vassa. The original Gustavus Vassa was the 16th century Swedish man who led Swedish people into a war of independence. Olaudah Equiano later adapted to the naval way of life. Converting into Christianity, Equiano read his bible regularly and was baptized at Saint Margaret’s Church on February 9, 1759. Somehow he later changed his religion to Methodist. In 1762, Equiano was freed by Pascal but re-enslaved in London. He later bought his own freedom. Olaudah traveled around the world, he even attempt to reach the North Pole. He also traveled to Portugal, Turkey, Italy, and the Mediterranean where he studied architecture. Equiano married Susanna Wilson on April 7, 1792. The couple had two children, Anne Maria and Johanna. Anne died at the age of four and his wife, Susanna, died soon afterwards. This left Olaudah Equiano devastated. Olaudah was later introduced to a man named Thomas Hardy, secretary of the London corresponding society. Thomas helped Olaudah in many ways. In 1789, Olaudah Equiano published, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano; or Gustavus Vassa, the African, his