Five Enchanting Poems by Phillis Wheatley, the First African American Published Poet
The enslaved artist became one of the most famous voices of her era
“How is it possible for an enslaved woman to become a published poet?” I believe that if you are in harmony with your true self, anything is possible.
The remarkable Phillis Wheatley made the most of her God-given blessings and became a brilliant poet.
John Wheatley of Boston bought her at the slave market in 1761, Phillis was given his last name and became a house servant.
The family was so impressed by the little girl’s intellectual ability that Susannah Wheatley decided to give her the same education as her daughters.
Phillis was a child prodigy who read the Bible with ease and developed a brilliant writing technique.
By the age of 14, Rhode Island Island’s Newport Mercury Newspaper published her first poem called “On Messrs-Hussey and Coffin” (1767).
The literary prodigy grew in confidence after her first bout of success. In 1771 she started to look for a patron to publish 39 poems.
Members of the Wheatley family were Phillis first fans. They gave her the freedom to write and helped her find a publisher.
