Equiano seemed reluctant to tell his story ... and his contribution to the abolitionist movement. He hoped his book would "promote the interests of humanity." It more than succeeded.

Equiano was born in Essaka, a small village in Benin, in 1745. His father was an Embrenche, an elder or chief, and oversaw disputes and punishments. He had five brothers and one sister, and was ...

Olaudah Equiano: I was enslaved for many years in the West Indies and America. I bought my freedom in 1766 and settled in Britain. I became friends with many of the British abolitionists such as ...