Olaudah Equiano, known for most of his life as <i>Gustavus Vassa</i>, was a writer and abolitionist from, according to his memoir, the Eboe region of the Kingdom of Benin.<br /><br />&quot;The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano&quot; is Olaudah Equiano&#39;s autobiography.&nbsp;<br /><br />The book, which was published in 1789, describes Equiano&#39;s life in slavery, beginning with his kidnapping by slave traders at age eleven. Equiano travelled extensively with his master, the captain of a British trading vessel, and was allowed to own minor trade exchanges. In 1766, he used his savings to purchase his freedom. He obtained a job working for a scientist in England, while also travelling as an abolitionist and public speaker.&nbsp;<br /><br />His autobiography is noted for its combination of literary forms--epistolary form, travel narrative, slave narrative, and religious meditation.