Ottobah Cugoano

Ottobah Cugoano ( 1757 – after 1791), also known as John Stuart, was an abolitionist, political activist, and natural rights philosopher from West Africa who was active in Great Britain in the latter half of the 18th century. Captured in the Gold Coast and sold into slavery at the age of 13, he was shipped to Grenada in the West Indies. In 1772, he was purchased by a merchant who took him to England, where Cugoano learned to read and write, and was freed. Later working for artists Richard and Maria Cosway, Cugoano became acquainted with several British political and cultural figures. He joined the Sons of Africa, a group of African abolitionists in Britain. Early life He was born Quobna Ottobah Cugoano in 1757 in Agimaque (Ajumako) in the Gold Coast (modern-day Ghana). He was a Fanti and his family was close to the local chief. At the age of 13, Cugoano was kidnapped with a group of children, sold into slavery and transported from Cape Coast on a slave ship to Grenada. He worked on a plantation in the Lesser Antilles until he was purchased in 1772 by Alexander Campbell, a Scottish plantation owner, who took him into his household. Late in 1772, Campbell took him with him on a visit to England where Cugoano was able to secure his freedom. On 20 August 1773, he was baptised at St James's Church, Piccadilly, as "John Stuart – a Black, aged 16 Years".