Olaudah Equiano

Quotes

• “I offer here the history of neither a saint, a hero, nor a tyrant. I believe there are few events in my life, which have not happened to many: it is true the incidents of it are numerous; and, did I consider myself an European, I might say my sufferings were great: but when I compare my lot with that of most of my countrymen, I regard myself as a particular favourite of Heaven, and acknowledge the mercies of Providence in every occurrence of my life.”
• “I was named Olaudah, which, in our language, signifies vicissitude or fortune also, one favoured, and having a loud voice and well spoken.”
• “One day, when all our people were gone out to their works as usual, and only I and my dear sister were left to mind the house, two men and a woman got over our walls, and in a moment seized us both, and, without giving us time to cry out, or make resistance, they stopped our mouths, and ran off with us into the nearest wood.”
• “I thought I could plainly trace the hand of God, without whose permission a sparrow cannot fall. I began to raise my fear from man to him alone, and to call daily on his holy name with fear and reverence: and I trust he heard my supplications, and graciously condescended to answer me according to his holy word, and to implant the seeds of piety in me, even one of the meanest of his creatures.”
• “These overseers are indeed for the most part persons of the worst character of any denomination of men in the West Indies. Unfortunately, many humane gentlemen, by not residing on their estates, are obliged to leave the management of them in the hands of these human butchers, who cut and mangle the slaves in a shocking manner on the most trifling occasions, and altogether treat them in every respect like brutes.”
• “But is not the slave trade entirely a war with the heart of man? And surely that which is begun by breaking down the barriers of virtue involves in its continuance destruction to every principle, and buries all sentiments in ruin!”

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Key facts

Born

c. 1745, Essaka

Died

31 March 1797 (aged 52), Westminster , Middlesex , United Kingdom

Other names

Gustavus Vassa, Jacob, Michael

Occupations

Sailor Writer Merchant

Known for

Influence on British abolitionists, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano

Spouse

Susannah Cullen ​ ​ ( married</span>"}]]}'>m. 1792 ; died 1796 ) ​

Children

Anna Maria Vassa , Joanna Vassa

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Wikidata facts

Image

Olaudah Equiano - Project Gutenberg eText 15399.png

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