Phillis Wheatley was a pioneering African American poet who wrote during the 18th century. She was kidnapped from West Africa and sold into slavery in America at a young age. Despite facing many obstacles, she learned to read and write, becoming the first African American author to publish a book of poetry in the United States. Her work addressed themes of freedom, religion, and identity, and she is considered an important figure in both African American and American literary history.
