Olaudah Equiano, known for most of his life as Gustavus Vassa, was a writer and abolitionist from, according to his memoir, the Eboe region of the Kingdom of Benin.

"The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano" is Olaudah Equiano's autobiography.

The book, which was published in 1789, describes Equiano'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.

His autobiography is noted for its combination of literary forms--epistolary form, travel narrative, slave narrative, and religious meditation.