Phillis Wheatley

African-American poet, born in West Africa, active in the 18th century

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About

Phillis Wheatley (c. 1753-1784) was the first published African-American poet. Born in the Senegambia region, she was captured and sold into slavery in Boston in 1761. Purchased by John Wheatley, she learned to read and write with the help of his daughter Mary. Her first poem appeared in 1767. In 1773, her collection 'Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral' was published in London, the first book of poetry by an African American. Emancipated in 1773, she continued to write, including a poem addressed to George Washington. She died in poverty in Boston in 1784.

* 1753-01-01 — † 1784-12-05

Major works

Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral (1773)poetry collection
On Messrs. Hussey and Coffin (1767)poem
To His Excellency General Washington (1775)poem

Key milestones

1761Purchased as a slave in Boston by John Wheatley.
1773Publication in London of 'Poems on Various Subjects', the first book of poetry by an African American.
1773Emancipated shortly after the publication of her collection.

Themes

religionlibertyslaveryidentitypatriotism

Sources: loc.gov · nps.gov · poetryfoundation.org

“In every human breast, God has implanted a principle, which we call love of freedom; it is impatient of oppression, and pants for deliverance.”

— Phillis WheatleyTheme · Spirituality

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“Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land, Taught my benighted soul to understand That there's a God, that there's a Saviour too: Once I redemption neither sought nor knew.”

— Phillis WheatleyTheme · Spirituality

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“Through thickest gloom look back, immortal shade, On that confusion which thy death has made.”

— Phillis WheatleyTheme · History

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