Phillis Wheatley

Phillis Wheatley

6 books
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About the Author

Phillis Wheatley, born in West Africa around 1753 and enslaved at a young age, was brought to Boston where she was purchased by the Wheatley family and educated in the classics, becoming one of the most remarkable literary figures of the 18th century. Her groundbreaking poetry, published when she was just nineteen, challenged prevailing notions of African intellectual capacity and earned acclaim from luminaries like George Washington. As the first African American woman to publish a book of poetry, Wheatley's work infused neoclassical forms with themes of faith, freedom, and resilience, influencing generations of writers. Her legacy endures in anthologies such as Black Nature: Four Centuries of African American Nature Poetry, which celebrates her contributions to African American literary traditions and environmental expression.

Common genres
African American Literature African American Studies classic literature historical nonfiction History Literary Anthology memoir anthology nature writing Poetry Short Stories Slavery Narratives
Writing style
elegant neoclassical inspirational

Books by Phillis Wheatley