The Interesting Narrative of Olaudah Equiano

Educators shape understanding of the world and have a responsibility in these pivotal times to find insight and perspectives that may be hidden or unheard. Researching the explorers’ mindset I highly recommend “The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, the African", the 1789 bestseller. With 9 editions in Equiano’s lifetime he inspired many abolitionists.

Equiano had been kidnapped and at the age of eleven endured the horrific Middle Passage to the Caribbean. He was sold to a Royal Navy captain (who taught him to read and write) then a Quaker merchant who helped him buy his freedom. By saving and trading he did so for £40, (about £5.5k now) at 21. He became a sailor and travelled the world, including a daring  expedition to the Arctic aboard Captain Constantine Phipps’ HMS Racehorse to find a passage to Asia via the North Pole.

A free man, he worked with Dr Charles Irving operating the scientist's desalination equipment. The dangerous journey is best known for the encounter of his young crew mate the fourteen year old midshipman Horatio Nelson with a polar bear.

Equiano settled in London and was befriended and supported by benefactors who encouraged him to publish his extraordinary story.

Explorer, businessman, writer, orator, campaigner and adopted Londoner. A humbling story..

#inspiration #leadership #allyship #equality