Erection date: 14/6/2008
{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
