Phillis Wheatley
1753 - 1784
Phillis Wheatley Peters, also spelled Phyllis and Wheatly, was an American writer who is considered the first African-American author of a published book of poetry. Born in West Africa, she was sold into slavery at the age of seven or eight and transported to North America, where she was bought by the Wheatley family of Boston. After she learned to read and write, they encouraged her poetry when they saw her talent.Poems
- On Being Brought from Africa to America
- On Messrs Hussey and Coffin
- A Farewell To America to Mrs S W
- Atheism --
- An Hymn To The Evening
- On The Death of Mr Snider Murder'd By Richardson
- On the Death of the Rev Mr George Whitefield, 1770
- America
- On Friendship
- Thoughts on the Works of Providence
- Niobe In Distress For Her Children Slain By Apollo, From Ovid's Metamorphoses, Book VI And Fro
- To the University of Cambridge