Statue

Olaudah Equiano - SE14

Erection date: 14/6/2008

Inscription

{Front face of column:}
Equiano: writer, captive, campaigner, adventurer, sailor.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.
Am I not a man and a brother?

{Rear left face of column:}
Africa.

{Rear right face of column:}
Slavery
This traffic of slaves spreads like a disease and damages everything it touches.

Londonist informs: "It stands on a ceramic plinth with three sides, which symbolises both the triangular route of the Atlantic slave trade, as well as the three phases of Equiano's life (child in Africa, slave and free man). But why here? Equiano is thought to have lived in nearby Deptford while still enslaved. Here he began to learn to read and write, and became a Christian."

Site: Olaudah Equiano - SE14 (1 memorial)

SE14, Erlanger Road, Telegraph Hill Lower Park

The statue was installed in the African Garden of the park to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the British Empire.

Designed and created by children from the local Edmund Waller primary school, and the Friends of Telegraph Hill Park, and unveiled by the Mayor of Lewisham, Steve Bullock.

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of plaquesoflondon.co.uk

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Olaudah Equiano - SE14

Subjects commemorated i

Abolition of slavery

The British abolition of slavery came in two parts: first the Abolition of th...

Read More

Olaudah Equiano

Born in an African village, he was sold into slavery, first locally, then in ...

Read More

This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
Olaudah Equiano - SE14

Created by i

Friends of Telegraph Hill Park

Active in 2008 and, 2024, this might be their Facebook page Telegraph Hill Pa...

Read More

Steve Bullock

Politician. Born in Redcar, Yorkshire. He was the first directly elected Mayo...

Read More

Nearby Memorials

Queen Victoria as Peace

Queen Victoria as Peace

N20, Barnet Lane, Friary Park

An information panel was erected in front of the statue by the Mayor of Barnet on 18 June 2016. It tells the story of the Park and the st...

1 subject commemorated, 4 creators
Austin Friar statue

Austin Friar statue

EC2, Austin Friars

The Austin Friars house, built in 1253, used to occupy this area.

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Burlington House - Phidias

Burlington House - Phidias

W1, Piccadilly, Royal Academy

This building is commonly known as the Royal Academy (of Arts). The wings of the building are occupied by a number of learned societies, ...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Burlington House - Titian

Burlington House - Titian

W1, Piccadilly, Royal Academy

This building is commonly known as the Royal Academy (of Arts). The wings of the building are occupied by a number of learned societies, ...

1 subject commemorated
Sir Charles Napier statue

Sir Charles Napier statue

WC2, Trafalgar Square

Criticised at the time as the "worst piece of sculpture in England".

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator