Fitzrovia in Camden in Greater London, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
Olaudah Equiano
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 26, 2026
1. Olaudah Equiano Marker
In Memory of
Olaudah Equiano
aka Gustavus Vassa c1745-1797
Near this place which was part of the Whitfield Cemetery, Equiano was buried on 6 April 1797.
Equiano was an enslaved African who bought his freedom. He went on to be a bestselling author and a prominent figure in the campaign to abolish the Atlantic slave trade.
Erected 2024 by The Equiano Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Arts, Letters, Music • Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical date for this entry is April 6, 1797.
Location. 51° 31.264′ N, 0° 8.099′ W. Marker is in Camden, England, in Greater London. It is in Fitzrovia. It is on Tottenham Court Road north of Tottenham Street, on the left when traveling north. The marker is mounted to a low wall on the north side of Whitfield Gardens. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 79 Tottenham Court Road, Camden, England W1T 4TB, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Greater South East. Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe,
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Robert Bosch (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Sir Robert Smirke (about 150 meters away); Bob Marley (about 180 meters away); a different marker also named Olaudah Equiano (about 180 meters away); George Dance (The Younger) (about 210 meters away); Charles Dickens (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Discovery of Aldosterone (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Fitzroy Place (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Camden.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Olaudah Equiano (Wikipedia). Overview:
Olaudah Equiano (c. 1745 31 March 1797), known for most of his life as Gustavus Vassa, was a writer and abolitionist. According to his memoir, he was from the village of Essaka, presumed to be in present-day southern Nigeria. Enslaved as a child in West Africa, he was(Submitted on April 29, 2026.)shipped to the Caribbean and sold to a Royal Navy officer. He was sold twice more before purchasing his freedom in 1766.Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 26, 20262. Olaudah Equiano Marker - wide view
As a freedman in London, Equiano supported the British abolitionist movement, becoming one of its leading figures in the 1780s. Equiano was part of the abolitionist group the Sons of Africa, whose members were Africans living in Britain. His 1789 autobiography, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, sold so well that nine editions were published during his life and helped secure passage of the British Slave Trade Act 1807, which abolished the slave trade in Britain. The Interesting Narrative gained renewed popularity among scholars in the late 20th century and remains a useful primary source.
2. Olaudah Equiano (Equiano Society). Overview:
Olaudah Equiano was the first political activist within Britains African community during the 18th century. According to his famous autobiography, he was kidnapped at the age of 11 and enslaved.(Submitted on April 29, 2026.)
The ill-treatment he received and the suffering of Africans inspired Equiano to join the campaign to abolish the socalled transatlantic slave trade.courtesy New York Public Library, circa 17903. Frontispiece and cover page of Equianos The Interesting Narrative
Credits. This page was last revised on May 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 29, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
