Phyllis Wheatley

poet

Phyllis Wheatley was an enslaved African woman who became the first published African American author in the United States, recognized for her remarkable poetry that challenged prevailing notions of race and intellect during the 18th century. Born in West Africa and brought to Boston as a child, she was educated by her owners and began writing poetry at a young age. Her collection, 'Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral,' published in 1773, garnered international acclaim and made her a prominent literary figure, despite enduring significant racial prejudice and skepticism about her abilities. Wheatley's work remains a powerful testament to the literary contributions of Black voices in American history.