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Phillis Wheatley

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description Phillis Wheatley Overview

Phillis Wheatley was an African-born American author who achieved international recognition as the first published Black woman poet in British North America. Enslaved and brought to Boston as a child, she received an education from the Wheatley family who enslaved her, mastering English, Latin, and classical literature. Her 1773 collection, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, was published in London because colonial American publishers doubted her authorship. Her neoclassical verse frequently referenced classical mythology and Christian themes, drawing praise from prominent international figures and securing her legacy in early American literature.

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What was the title of Phillis Wheatley's 1773 book?

Her book was Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, published in London in 1773. Its appearance made Wheatley the first African American woman to publish a book of poetry.

Why was Phillis Wheatley's authorship examined by prominent Boston men?

Many white readers refused to believe that an enslaved Black woman had written learned poetry. A group of Boston figures questioned her, and an attestation affirming her authorship was printed in her book.

How did Phillis Wheatley write about George Washington?

She sent Washington a poem praising him and the revolutionary cause, personifying America as Columbia. Washington replied in 1776 and invited her to visit his headquarters in Cambridge.

Was Phillis Wheatley still enslaved when her poetry book appeared?

Yes, Wheatley was enslaved by the Wheatley family when the 1773 volume was published. She was freed soon afterward, but emancipation did not bring lasting financial security.