The Biography of Ayuba Suleiman Diallo – Construction of an ‘African Gentleman

This paper examines the biography of Ayuba Suleiman Diallo, one of the first narratives about an ex-slave published in England, using a postcolonial literary approach to investigate how the subject was constructed by his white English author. The biography presents Diallo as an “African Gentleman,” a carefully curated identity designed to justify his exceptional liberation from slavery. This portrayal strategically aligns with the interests of the Royal African Company, whose members acted as his "liberators" but were, in fact, driven by clear economic motivations. The paper interrogates the ways in which the narrative of Diallo’s life was utilized to advance a specific colonial agenda. By emphasizing Diallo's perceived civility, intelligence, and religiosity, the author molded his image to conform to the ideals of an assimilated African, thereby framing the Royal African Company as benevolent philanthropists rather than profit-driven exploiters. At the same time, this narrative worked to sustain the institution of slavery, presenting it as a condition that could, under the "right" circumstances, produce such a “refined” individual. The study engages with themes of identity construction, colonial representation, and the complexities of individual agency within oppressive systems. By utilizing an interdisciplinary lens informed by both historical and literary analysis, this paper highlights how multiple narrative layers intersect to shape public perception and justify colonial endeavors. Diallo’s case reveals the contradictions inherent in Enlightenment-era thought—where the recognition of humanity in an individual did not translate to a broader critique of slavery as an institution. Ultimately, this paper contributes to our understanding of how early modern biographies of enslaved individuals were shaped by, and in turn shaped, colonial politics. It underscores the complexity of historical narration and aims to highlight the active role played by the Royal African Company in constructing public narratives that bolstered their economic and ideological goals.