Black abolitionist to be honoured with church memorial

A black campaigner at the forefront of the 18th century abolitionist movement that eventually ended slavery is to be honoured with a memorial in St Margaret’s Church at Westminster Abbey.

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, will attend the dedication of the memorial of Olaudah Equiano in St Margaret’s on 9th February.

Equiano (1745 – 1797), who was also known by his slave name of Gustavus Vassa, was baptised at St Margaret’s on 9 February 1759. His autobiography 'The Interesting Narrative Of The Life Of Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa, The African' depicted the horrors of slavery and helped influence British lawmakers to abolish the slave trade through the Slave Trade Act of 1807.

Despite his enslavement as a young man, Equiano purchased his freedom and worked as a seaman, merchant, and explorer in South America, the Caribbean, the Arctic, the American colonies, and the United Kingdom.

Canon Robert Wright, the Rector of St Margaret's, said: "We are all looking forward to the dedication of the memorial to Ouladah Equiano in St Margaret’s Church, Westminster Abbey. It seems very appropriate that he was baptised in the church where the writers John Milton and Samuel Pepys worshipped, a few yards from the place where William Caxton set up his first printing shop, and where the great 17th century artist and engraver, Wenceslaus Hollar is memorialised."

Arthur Torrington, Secretary of the Equiano Society said: "The memorial in St Margaret’s Church is a fitting tribute to an African who made a significant contribution to Britain."

The memorial has been created by the London-based sculptor Marcia Bennett-Male who trained as an architectural stone carver and letter cutter at the London Art School.

St Margaret's stands between Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament, and is commonly referred to as "the parish church of the House of Commons".