When was Phillis Wheatley born and where?
May 8, 1753, West Africa
Phillis Wheatley/Born
What region of the world was Phillis Wheatley born?
West Africa
Born in the Senegambia region of West Africa, she was sold into slavery and transported to Boston at age seven or eight. Purchased off the slave ship by prosperous merchant John Wheatley and his wife Susanna in 1761, the young Phillis was soon copying the English alphabet on a wall in chalk.
Where did Phillis Wheatley grow up?
Born around 1753 in Gambia, Africa, Wheatley was captured by slave traders and brought to America in 1761. Upon arrival, she was sold to the Wheatley family in Boston, Massachusetts.
Who is the first black writer?
The poet Phillis Wheatley (c.1753–84) published her book Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral in 1773, three years before American independence. Wheatley was not only the first African American to publish a book, but the first to achieve an international reputation as a writer.
Is Phillis Wheatley African American?
Resource Bank Contents. Phillis Wheatley was the first African American, the first slave, and the third woman in the United States to publish a book of poems.
Where did Phillis Wheatley publish her first book?
On July 16, 2019, at the London site where A. Bell Booksellers published Wheatley’s first book in September 1773 (8 Aldgate, now the site of the Dorsett City Hotel), the unveiling took place of a commemorative blue plaque honoring her, organized by the Nubian Jak Community Trust and Black History Walks.
When was Phillis Wheatley freed from slavery?
In 1773, Phillis Wheatley was freed from slavery and became the first African American to publish a book of poetry. She was bought by John and Susanna Wheatley in 1761.
What did Phillis Wheatley contribute to America?
Influence on History and American Literature. Phillis Wheatley is a pioneer in African American literature and is credited with helping create its foundation. She provided inspiration to other African American slaves such a Jupiter Hammon who in 1778 wrote “An Address to Miss Phillis Wheatley”.