Bill Hern was asked by the Equiano Society to research the so called Leeds Edition of Equiano’s ‘Interesting Narrative’, Bill does live near Leeds so it made sense! He presented his findings in the form of a research paper which is attached at the end of this short introduction.
There were nine editions of The Interesting Narrative published in Great Britain and Ireland between 1789 and 1794. Unauthorised translations of Equiano’s book were made in Dutch (1790), German (1792), Russian (1794), and a New York (American) version in 1791. There were other publications of the Narrative after he died in London on 31 March 1797. One of those, referred to as the ‘Leeds Edition’, is held at the Special Collections section of the Leeds University Library. It was published by James Nichols on 27 August 1814.
The title page:
The introduction to the Leeds edition takes issue with Equiano for the reference in his book to ‘fortune’ rather than ‘the providence of God’. This is described as ‘blameworthy’. However the introduction then goes on to excuse Equiano for his ‘slip of his pen,’ before continuing, somewhat patronisingly ‘let none venture to attribute it to atheistical motives. The tenor of his conduct and of his words belies such an insinuation. He had heard the term thus misapplied by others, and from an imitative habit, he thoughtlessly gave it the same appellation.’
The edition supported the local anti-slavery movement that also included Reverend Richard Watson and other prominent members of the Methodist Church. The author of the ‘Preface’ of the Leeds Edition was not named but appeared to be a staunch defender of Equiano’s integrity, memory and place of birth. Those involved in the publication did not know Equiano personally. They acknowledged that all they knew of him was through The Interesting Narrative and described him as having died ‘a few years ago’ at ‘some place in the South of England’ (he actually died in London in 1797).
Published on 27 August 1814, the book was advertised in that day’s Leeds Mercury at a price of 2 shillings and 6 pence for the ‘paperback’ or 3 shillings and 6 pence for the hardback. Sale of the book was not restricted to Leeds and was ‘sold by all booksellers.’
It seems that the book was not profitable. Nichols was declared bankrupt less than three years after its publication. He recovered some time afterwards and became a respected figure who was later remembered in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.
Bill’s paper discusses in some detail the ways in which the Leeds Edition differed from the editions that were produced during Equiano’s lifetime, editions that would have been personally supervised by him. One interesting example concerns the naming and shaming of ‘One Mr Drummond’. In the 8th and 9th editions of Equiano’s Interesting Narrative, Equiano wrote that Drummond ’had sold 41,000 negroes and had once cut off the leg of one for running away.’ This story is not in Equiano’s 1st edition at all and in the 2nd to 7th editions Drummond is granted anonymity: “One Mr. D—”. The Leeds Edition chooses to protect Drummond’s identity (22 years too late) as once again he is referred to simply as ‘Mr D’.
The Preface to the Leeds Edition ends with a celebration of the Bill for the Abolition of the Slave Trade and laments the fact that Equiano did not live long enough to see its passing and an exhortation to others to abolish the trade: ‘May other European nations be induced, by the excellence and success of our example, to erect similar trophies of humanity and true greatness! And may universal kindness find an asylum in every breast; and all men “own its pleasing sway!”
Bill’s full report can be viewed here: