Phillis Wheatley
by Unknown artist, originally appeared in <br>Revue des Colonies in Paris between 1834 and 1842.
Charcoal
Courtesy of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
The first slave, the first African American and the third woman to publish a book of poetry in the United States, Phillis Wheatley was kidnapped in West Africa and transported to America aboard a slave ship. Though poor of health, her facility for language was instantly recognized and she was encouraged by the family who'd purchased her to study Theology, English, Latin and the Greek Classics. Her first poem was published in 1767 and her first book, Poems on Various Subjects six years later.
Page created on 7/8/2010 1:25:23 PM
Last edited 7/8/2010 1:25:23 PM
