"The Interesting Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, The African" 1789.Equiano, Oladuah

(1745-1797) Born in Essaka, a town in what is now Nigeria, Equiano was captured and put into slavery as a boy. While growing up, Equiano learned how to read and write from his white slave holders. Since he was a slave to a Navy captain, he did not spend all of his time in America, but traveled much and lived in England for awhile as well.

While in London, Equiano became involved in the abolition movement and wrote his famous book, The Interesting Narrative Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, The African.  His book became a bestseller and was used often for abolitionist propaganda.

Equiano was able to gain his freedom and lived mainly in London.

http://www.brycchancarey.com/equiano/biog.htm

Sources:

Horton, James Oliver, and Lois E. Horton. Slavery and the Making of America. New York: Oxford, 2006. 19,21-22.

Johnson, Charles, Patricia Smith, and WGBH Research Team. Africans in America: America's Journey through Slavery. New York: Harvest Books, 1999.