Emily Momoh of Camden Black British History Community Hub; mayor Councillor Samata Khatoon and Arthur Torrington CBE [Lennox Salmon]

A MEMORIAL for the abolitionist Olaudah Equiano was unveiled near his burial place in Tottenham Court Road.
With the support of London mayor Sadiq Khan, Equiano, also known as Gustavus Vassa, was honoured with the installation of a permanent memorial on the American Church’s walls last month.

He was buried there in 1797.

Equiano was born around 1745 and had been enslaved, but bought his freedom for £40 in 1766, became a businessman, explorer, community activist, writer, and an abolitionist.

Olaudah Equiano

His bestselling book, The Interesting Narrative, published in 1789, went into nine editions over six years. He lobbied parliament for the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade but died before the trade was outlawed in 1807.

After Equiano had bought his freedom, he lived at various addresses: Tottenham Street, John Street (now Whitfield Street) and Union Street (now Riding House Street), after moving from Baldwin’s Gardens just off Leather Lane in Holborn.

He also worked for the Committee for the Relief of the Black Poor in Warren Street. Many of the beneficiaries also worshipped at Whitfield’s Tabernacle alongside prominent figures like Joshua Reynolds and David Garrick.

Rev Dr John Bradbury, general secretary of the United Reformed Church; Rev Jennifer Mills-Knutsen of the American International Church; memorial designer Mervyn Weir; Cllr Khatoon; and Mr Torrington

Reverend Jennifer Mills-Knutsen, senior pastor at the American International Church, said: “This public commemoration will bring to light a critical figure in black British history.

“Equiano’s autobiography and speeches played a critical role in turning public opinion toward abolition in England and America. We hope this permanent memorial will help us tell a more accurate and representative version of our history and inspire the public today in the continued work of building a more just world.”

Arthur Torrington CBE, co-founder of The Equiano Society, said: “The occasion celebrates the life of an African who made outstanding contributions to British life, having served also in the Seven Years’ War (1756-1763), travelling to Canada on the same ship as General James Wolfe. The memorial is but a token of appreciation of Equiano’s service to humanity.”