Phillis Wheatley (1753-1784)
Birthplace: West Africa (likely present-day Senegal or Gambia)
Important Work: Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral (1773)
Excerpt from her book:
"Remember, Christians, Negroes, black as Cain, / May be refin’d, and join th’ angelic train."
life & impact
Phillis Wheatley was born in West Africa around 1753. As a young girl, she was taken from her home and forced onto a slave ship that brought her to America. She was sold to a wealthy family in Boston, the Wheatleys, who gave her their last name. Even though she was enslaved, Phillis showed a great talent for reading and writing. The Wheatley family taught her to read English, Latin, and Greek, and she soon began writing poetry. Her poems were filled with deep thoughts about religion, freedom, and life.
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In 1773, when she was around 20 years old, Phillis Wheatley became the first African American woman to publish a book of poetry. Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral was published in London because many people in America did not believe that a Black woman could write so well. She even wrote a poem to George Washington, who praised her work and invited her to meet him. Her poems showed that Black people were just as intelligent and creative as anyone else, challenging racist beliefs of the time.
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Even though she gained fame as a poet, Phillis Wheatley still faced many struggles. After gaining her freedom, she had a difficult life and died at a young age in 1784. However, her poetry lives on. She proved that Black people had powerful voices and important ideas to share. Her work inspired future generations of Black writers, and she remains a symbol of strength, talent, and perseverance.