Born in West Africa in approximately 1753, Wheatley was sold into slavery as a child and transported to the American colonies in 1761.
This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper..
Her elegant and contemplative odes and elegies are some of the most beautiful Poems in early American literature.
Wheatley\'s work reflects her African heritage, Religious faith, and her classical education.
Her work was an instant success and the Wheatley family subsequently freed her from slavery.
In 1773, when she was 20 years-old, Wheatley traveled to London with her owner\'s son and it was there that she published her first collection of poems, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral.
Wheatley was taught Greek, Latin, classic literature, and the Bible and began writing poetry at age 14.
The Wheatley family soon recognized her amazing intellect and talent and started giving her an education very unusual for a slave at that time.
They gave the young girl the name Phillis, after the ship that had transported her to America.
She was bought by a wealthy Boston merchant named John Wheatley to serve as a servant to his family.
Born in West Africa in approximately 1753, Wheatley was sold into slavery as a child and transported to the American colonies in 1761
