Poems on various subjects [Phillis Wheatley, 1773]

  • Women's Voices and Life Writing
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Title
Poems on various subjects [Phillis Wheatley, 1773]
Author
  • Wheatley, Phillis
Document Type
  • Poetry
  • Printed Book
Date
1773
Biography
Phillis Wheatley (c. 1753-1784) is considered the first African American author of a published poetry book. Her birth date and place are not recorded, though historians believe she was born in West Africa and was then kidnapped, sold into enslavement and taken to Boston. In America, she was bought by a tailor and progressive John Wheatley for his wife Susanna and was tutored by their daughter Mary, receiving an education unprecedented for an enslaved person. Phillis wrote her first poem at age 14 and her book was published in 1773, after which she was emancipated by the Wheatley's. Phillis soon married John Peters, a free black grocer, who was imprisoned for debt in 1784. Phillis became a scullery maid in order to care for her infant son; however, she died in December of that year, aged 31.
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