Revolutionary Poet

Kidnapped at age seven in Africa.

Sold into slavery in Boston.

Celebrated poet?

Not only was Phillis Wheatley African, she was a woman, and the fact that she published poetry was unheard of in America during the 1700s. Her owners educated her and Phillis wrote poetry about real-life events. 1773 was an important year for Phillis: her book of poetry was published – the first poetry book ever published by an African woman – and her owners released her from slavery.

 

Read more about Phillis in Phillis Wheatley: Poet of the Revolutionary Era by Molly Aloian