This is Gustavus Vassa, freed slave. (1745-97.) He was brought from Nigeria (according to his own memoirs) to Great Britain and his owner gave him this weird name. (weird in the eyes of Swedes.) A latinized form of the name of our Swedish king Gustav Vasa! (I mentioned him on our National Day June 6th.) He was taught to read and write. And managed to buy his freedom! (it cost 40 pounds.) His memoirs caused a sensation. (when it was published in 1789.) He worked in the abolitionist movement. Trying to convince Britons that slavery must be abolished. And many listened! He also married a white British woman. (he had become a Christian very early on.) And they had 2 daughters. A very courageous pioneer!
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