Tids & Bits #1- Phillis Wheatley

Possibly the first African American Writer published, Poet Phillis Wheatley (1753–84), published her book Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral in 1773, three years before American independence. Wheatley was born in Senegal, Africa and was captured and sold into slavery at the age of seven. Her first name was derived from the slave ship Phyllis she arrived on.

She spoke no English but by the age of sixteen she had mastered the language and began writing. Her poetry was praised by many of the leading figures of her time including George Washington who personally thanked her for a poem she wrote in his honor. Her work revolved mostly around religious themes and mentioned many renowned figures of her time. She became freed as a result of her fame and even traveled to England to publish her works there.

In the wake of her literary praise there were still many people who refused to believe that a black slave woman could be intelligent enough to write poetry. As a result, Wheatley actually had to defend herself in court by proving she wrote her own poetry. A panel of luminaries declared it so thus becoming the first acknowledgment of African American Literature.