Black British abolitionist and writer (c. 1745 – 1797) Olaudah Equiano, known for most of his life as Gustavus Vassa, was a writer who, drawing on his experiences as an enslaved African in the Americas, became a celebrated figure within the abolitionist movement in Great Britain and Ireland. According to his memoir, he was kidnapped from his home in West Africa and shipped first to Barbados and then to Virginia. There he was bought by a Royal Navy officer whom he accompanied, during the Seven Years' War, as a valet. He was sold twice more in the Caribbean before, having been permitted to trade on his own account, purchasing his freedom in 1766. 446,492 views on October 16, 2017 — Wikipedia's most-read article that day. Also most read: Sean Hughes (comedian), Harvey Weinstein, SMS Cap Trafalgar, List of nominated members of the Rajya Sabha. Wiki link