Phillis Wheatley

Phillis Wheatley was America's first black poet. She was born c. 1753-5 in Gambia, Africa and died around December, 1784. Phillis' gift of writing poetry was encouraged by her owners and their daughter, Mary; they taught Phillis to read and write, with her first poem being published at the age of twelve, "On Messrs. Hussey and Coffin." Obour Tanner, a former slave who made the journey through the middle passage with Phillis was one of the chief influences and supporters of her craft.
She was fond of writing in the elegiac poetry style, mirroring the genre of oration taught to her through the women in her African American tribal group. She also was well versed in Latin which allowed her to write in the epyllion (short epic) style with the publication of "Niobe in Distress." Phillis' popularity as a poet both in the United States and England ultimately brought her freedom from slavery on October 18, 1773. She even appeared before General Washington in March, 1776 for her poetry and was a strong supporter of independence during the Revolutionary War. Phillis is remembered for many first time accomplishments from a woman of her day:

• First African American to publish a book


• An accomplished African American woman of letters


• First African American woman to earn a living from her writing


• First woman writer encouraged and financed by a group of women (Mrs. Wheatley, Mary Wheatly, and Selina Hastings.)