Olaudah Equiano (c.1745–1797), also known as Gustavus Vassa, was an abolitionist and writer whose autobiography The Interesting Narrative (1789) became the first internationally popular enslaved narrative. Captured in Nigeria at age 11, he was enslaved, transported across the Atlantic, and later bought his freedom in 1766. Settling in England, Equiano became a leading voice in the campaign to end the transatlantic slave trade, sharing his personal testimony to expose its brutality. His life and work not only fueled abolitionist efforts but also highlighted themes of resilience, identity, and justice that continue to resonate today.

Reference: Britannica