who was phillis wheatley

Phillis Wheatley (c. 1753 – December 5, 1784) was a poet and the first published African American female author. She was born in West Africa and sold into slavery at a young age. Wheatley was purchased by the Wheatley family in Boston, Massachusetts, and taken into their home as a servant. She was educated by the Wheatley family, who recognized her intelligence and encouraged her love of literature.

Wheatley's poetry gained recognition in both America and England, and she is considered an important figure in early American literature. Her work often addressed themes of slavery, Christian faith, and the struggle for freedom. Wheatley's poetry was praised for its formal structure and classical style, and she was one of the first African American writers to be published in the United States.

Despite her achievements, Wheatley faced racism and discrimination throughout her life, and she struggled to gain respect and recognition as a poet during her time. She died in poverty in 1784, but her legacy lives on as a pioneering African American writer and poet.