# Phillis Wheatley

> first African-American poet (1753–1784)

**Wikidata**: [Q257911](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q257911)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillis_Wheatley)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/phillis-wheatley

## Summary
Phillis Wheatley (1753–1784) was the first African-American poet and a pioneering voice in early American literature. She is best known for her book *Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral* (1773), which marked a historic milestone as the first published work by an African-American author.

## Biography
- Born: May 8, 1753; Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Nationality: United States
- Education: Self-taught; tutored in English and theology by the Wheatley family
- Known for: Being the first African-American poet to publish a book of poetry
- Employer(s): The Wheatley household (servant/ward); later, brief association with various patrons
- Field(s): Literature, Poetry

## Contributions
Phillis Wheatley authored and published *Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral* in 1773, a groundbreaking collection that established her as a significant figure in American literary history. The volume included elegies, hymns, and poems on moral and religious themes, and was notable for its intellectual depth and formal elegance. It was the first published book by an African-American author and gained international recognition, including praise from prominent figures like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. Her poetry contributed to early American identity and challenged prevailing views on race and intellect.

## FAQs
**Who was Phillis Wheatley?**  
Phillis Wheatley was a pioneering African-American poet, born in West Africa and enslaved as a child. Brought to Boston in 1761, she was educated by her owners and became the first African-American to publish a book of poetry.

**What is Phillis Wheatley's most famous work?**  
Her most famous work is *Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral*, published in 1773. It was the first book of poetry published by an African-American and gained wide acclaim in both Europe and the American colonies.

**Where was Phillis Wheatley born and raised?**  
She was born in West Africa (likely present-day Gambia or Senegal) around 1753 and was enslaved and transported to Boston, Massachusetts, where she lived most of her life.

**What themes are prominent in Phillis Wheatley's poetry?**  
Her poetry often explores themes of religion, morality, and freedom, with a strong emphasis on Christian theology and the dignity of the human soul. Her work also subtly engages with ideas of liberty and justice, especially in the context of her own experience of enslavement.

**How did Phillis Wheatley become educated?**  
She was taught to read and write by Mary and John Wheatley, the family that purchased her. She was tutored in English, Latin, and theology, and her education was considered unusually advanced for a woman of her time, let alone an enslaved person.

**What impact did Phillis Wheatley have on American literature?**  
Wheatley’s work laid the foundation for African-American literary tradition and influenced generations of writers. Her poetry was widely read in the 18th century and helped challenge European and American assumptions about the intellectual capacity of Black people.

## Why They Matter
Phillis Wheatley’s significance lies in her role as a trailblazer in American literature and African-American intellectual history. As the first published African-American author, her 1773 poetry collection not only challenged the era’s racial prejudices but also established a precedent for Black literary expression. Her work inspired later African-American writers and activists, including Frederick Douglass and Maya Angelou, who cited her as a foundational influence. Her legacy continues to symbolize the power of art and education to transcend oppression.

## Notable For
- First African-American poet to publish a book of poetry
- Author of *Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral* (1773)
- Only the third enslaved person in the U.S. to gain freedom through manumission (posthumously granted)
- Pioneering figure in African-American literary history
- Recipient of international acclaim, including correspondence with George Washington
- Subject of historical and literary scholarship due to her cultural impact
- Early example of a woman breaking gender and racial barriers in literature

## Body

### Early Life
Phillis Wheatley was born around 1753 in West Africa, likely in what is now Gambia or Senegal. She was captured and enslaved as a child, arriving in Boston, Massachusetts, on a ship in 1761. Purchased by the Wheatley family, she was given the name Phillis and was educated by the family, including Mary and John Wheatley. Her education included reading, writing, Latin, and theology, which was rare for both women and enslaved individuals of the time.

### Literary Career
Wheatley’s literary career began in the Wheatley household, where she composed poems that were widely circulated in colonial newspapers. Her work was recognized for its intellectual and theological sophistication. In 1773, her book *Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral* was published in London, England, after she faced skepticism in Boston about her authorship. The publication was a landmark event, as it was the first book by an African-American author.

### Major Works
- *Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral* (1773): A collection of 38 poems, including elegies, odes, and religious meditations. The volume was prefaced by a sworn affidavit from 18 Boston notables attesting to Wheatley’s authorship, a testament to the racial skepticism of the time.
- “On Being Brought from Africa to America” (1773): A frequently anthologized poem that reflects on her own experience of enslavement and conversion to Christianity.
- “To the Right Honourable William, Earl of Dartmouth” (1773): A poem addressing the British official responsible for colonial affairs, reflecting on freedom and justice.

### Personal Life and Legacy
Wheatley married John Peters, a free Black man, in 1778. The couple had three children, all of whom died in infancy. Wheatley’s life was marked by financial hardship and declining health, and she died in December 1784, likely in poverty. Despite this, her legacy grew posthumously, with her work becoming a cornerstone of African-American literature and a symbol of intellectual resistance.

### Influence and Recognition
Wheatley’s poetry influenced early American literary culture and inspired generations of Black writers. Her work was cited by 19th-century abolitionists and 20th-century scholars as a foundational text in African-American intellectual history. Her writings were also used to argue for the intellectual equality of African Americans during debates on slavery.

### Historical Context
Wheatley lived during a time when the United States was still forming its national identity. Her work emerged during the Revolutionary War era, and her poetry often engaged with themes of liberty and justice. Her publication in 1773 preceded the formal founding of the United States by three years, making her a unique voice in the early American canon.

### Cultural Impact
Wheatley’s life and work continue to be studied in American literature, history, and African-American studies curricula. Her story is often cited in discussions of race, gender, and literary history. Her former home in Boston and her poems are commemorated in historical and educational contexts.

### Modern Recognition
In the 20th and 21st centuries, Wheatley has been the subject of academic biographies, literary criticism, and public art. Her image and legacy are featured in educational materials and cultural institutions, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

### Identity and Representation
Wheatley’s identity as an enslaved Black woman who achieved literary fame in a predominantly white, male-dominated society underscores the complexity of her historical moment. Her work continues to be a symbol of resilience, intellect, and artistic achievement in the face of systemic oppression.

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