Poets

Phillis Wheatley was the first published African American poet and first African-American woman whose writings helped create the genre of African American literature.

Life of Phillis Wheatley

Although the date and place of her birth are not documented, scholars believe that Phillis Wheatley was born in 1753 likely in present-day Gambia. At age seven she was made a slave and later was purchased by the Wheatley family of Boston. The family were the first ones to encourage Phillis’ writing and to teach her how to write and read.

In 1768, Wheatley wrote "To the King's Most Excellent Majesty" in which she praised George III for repealing the Stamp Act. However, as the American Revolution gained strength, Wheatley's writing turned to themes from the point of view of the colonists.

In 1773, she published her first book, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, which brought her fame and people like George Washington praising her work. In the same year in November, Phillis was emancipated. She met and married John Peters and they had two babies that died.

Wheatley's husband abandoned her in 1784, when she was pregnant again. She struggled to support herself and had completed a second volume of poetry, but no publisher seemed interested in it. Phillis Wheatley died from complications of childbirth in the same year, at the age of 31. Her newborn infant died several hours later. By then she was living in a boarding house in poverty.

Phillis Wheatley di..