She was purchased by the wheatley family of boston, who taught her to read and write and encouraged her poetry when they saw her talent. Religious and moralthe first book written by a black woman in america. The extraordinary writings of phillis wheatley, a slave girl turned published poet in 1761. The extraordinary writings of phillis wheatley, a slave girl turned published poet in 1761, a young girl arrived in boston on a slave ship, sold to the wheatley family, and given the name phillis wheatley. Born in west africa, she was sold into slavery at the age of seven or eight and transported to north america. Despite spending much of her life enslaved, phillis wheatley was the first african. Although she was an african slave, phillis wheatley was one of the. Poet phillis wheatley was brought to boston, massachusetts, on a slave ship in. Phillis wheatley, author info, published books, bio, photo, video. Struck by phillis extraordinary precociousness, the wheatleys provided her with an education that was unusual for a woman of the time and. Although she was an african slave, phillis wheatley was one of the bestknown poets in pre19th century america. Phillis wheatley, also spelled phyllis and wheatly c. Phillis wheatley has 36 books on goodreads with 6366 ratings.
At nineteen, she became the first black american poet to publish a book, poems on various subjects. Her situation allowed her time to learn and, as early as 1765, to write poetry. Educated and enslaved in the household of prominent boston commercialist john wheatley, lionized in new england and england, with presses in both places publishing her poems, and paraded before the new republics political leadership and the old empires aristocracy, wheatley. List of books and articles about phillis wheatley online research. Phillis wheatley, the first african american published. Phillis wheatley had fewer restrictions than most slaves experienced but she was still a slave. Books by phillis wheatley author of poems of phillis wheatley. Phillis wheatley was only seven or eight years old when she was captured and taken from her home in west africa. Phillis wheatley, the first african american published book of poetry september 1, 1773 phillis wheatley was only seven or eight years old when she was captured and taken from her home in west africa. Carretta has also written an illuminating introduction and included. Wheatley s poetry created a sensation throughout the englishspeaking world, and the young poet read her work in aristocratic drawing rooms on. Literary production by african american women, 17461892 by frances smith foster.
Having failed to find an american publisher for a second volume of her works, wheatley died in boston largely forgotten and impoverished. Once phillis wheatley demonstrated her abilities, the wheatleys, clearly a family of culture and education, allowed phillis time to do study and write. Books by phillis wheatley author of poems of phillis. Phillis wheatley s most popular book is 101 great american poems.
Phillis wheatley, the first african american published book of poetry. Knowing nothing of the talents she would soon show the world, john wheatley, a prosperous tailor, and his wife, susanna, purchased the young girl. Born in africa in 1753, phillis wheatley was kidnapped at the age of seven and sold into slavery. Wheatley s personal qualities, even more than her literary talent, contributed to her great social success in london. After being kidnapped from west africa and enslaved in boston, phillis wheatley became the first african american and one of the first women to publish a book of poetry in the colonies in 1773. Religious and moral, on which this volume is based. Bell to begin correspondence with wheatley in preparation for the book.