The Royal African: Or, Memoirs of the Young Prince of Annamaboe

Sessarakoo, William Ansah (Author)

First Published in London in 1749, The Royal Prince is supposedly the account of William Ansah Sessarakoo's life. Born into a royal family in Annamaboe (modern-day Ghana), Sessarakoo was sent by his father to be educated in England. During his quest to England, Sessarakoo is kidnapped by the ship's captain and rerouted to Barbados where he is sold into slavery. Eventually, he was discovered by a fellow Annamaboen trader who informed his father of this discovery. His father was able to successfully petition for his freedom, and Sessarakoo was returned home. In the end, Sessarakoo was eventually able to make it to England to receive his education. While it is often presented purely as a narrative of Sessarakoo's life, much of the focus in the text is actually on trade between Europe, Africa, and The Colonies. It also emphasizes significant admiration for English culture.

First Edition - London, England : Printed for W. Reeve, at Shakespear's Head, Fleetstreet; G. Woodfall, and J. Barnes, at Charing­-Cross; and at the Court of Requests, 1749

English

Narratives
Slave Narratives
Early Caribbean Slave Narratives
Royal African Company
African Company of Merchants
Bridgetown, Barbados
Anomabu, Ghana

1749

Sessarakoo, William Ansah. The Royal African; or, Memoirs of the Young Prince of Annamaboe. London: W. Reeve, 1750.

The digital edition is freely available for public download and non-commercial redistribution.

This digital edition has limited access restrictions. View the terms of access at http://ecda.northeastern.edu/