The couple struggled with extreme poverty, and in 1785 Peters was placed in jail because of debt. It was at about this time that she was freed. Phillis Wheatley was a famous poet, her themes were mostly about her own experiences and feelings she had. What obstacles did Phillis Wheatley face? In publishing it, Wheatley became the first African American and first U.S. slave to publish a book of poems, as well as the third American woman to do so. Phillis Wheatley was an African-American poet. Wheatley had to prove in court that her poems were written by her. Born in West Africa, Wheatley was captured and sold into slavery as a child. The horrors of the Middle Passage very likely contributed to the persistent asthma that plagued her throughout her short life. One of America's early literary giants was an enslaved woman from Massachusetts, Phillis Wheatley. What is the meaning of the poem on being brought from Africa to America? But her talent posed a problem for national leaders at the time. The works of Alexander Pope, one of the great neoclassical poets, were an important part of Wheatley’s early education, and his translation of Homer’s Iliad (c. 725 b.c.e.) It is believed that none of their children survived infancy. She married John Peters on April 1, … One of America’s early literary giants was an enslaved woman from Massachusetts, Phillis Wheatley. If you like what you see, we hope you will consider buying. Phillis was brought from Africa to America, in the Year 1761, between Seven and Eight Years of Age. Wheatley was a slave Negro girl. In 1773 Phillis Wheatley (c. 1753–1784), born on the west coast of Africa, published the first book of poetry by a black person in America (and the second published by a woman). Wheatley’s first published poem, “On the Death of the Reverend George Whitefield,” appeared in 1770 in a Boston broadside. The poet Phillis Wheatley was born, according to her own testimony, in Gambia, West Africa, along the fertile lowlands of the Gambia River. Keeping this in view, why was Phillis Wheatley important? In publishing it, Wheatley became the first African American and first U.S. slave to publish a book of poems, as well as the third American woman to do so. Little is known about Wheatley’s earliest years; it is estimated that she was bornin 1753in the area of West Africa that corresponds with modern-day Senegal. Nineteenth century portrait of Phillis Wheatley featured in the Parisian journal, Revue des Colonies. What was significant about Washington's campaign in March 1776. What is important is that the girl who became Phillis Wheatley began to come more and more into view. That book, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, became controversial twice. Though a slave, she supported independence and wrote poetry for George Washington. The difference in their age and experience created a division between the two concerning their political and religious beliefs. In 1773 Phillis Wheatley (c. 1753–1784), born on the west coast of Africa, published the first book of poetry by a black person in America (and the second published by a woman). Start studying Phillis Wheatley. Phyllis Wheatley, Patriot Poet. Phillis Wheatley had fewer restrictions than most enslaved women experienced—but she was still enslaved. Why? While yet in her teens, Phillis Wheatley became the first African American woman to publish a book of poetry, and the third woman in the American colonies to do so. Her situation allowed her time to learn and, as early as 1765, to write poetry. She was transported to the British colonies in 1763. Once Phillis Wheatley demonstrated her abilities, the Wheatleys, a family of culture and education, allowed Phillis time to study and write. A slave ship brought her to Boston in 1761. 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