America's First Black Woman Poet
Phillis Wheatley was America's first black poet.
Born in Senegal, Africa in 1753, she was sold into slavery at the age of seven to John and Susannah Wheatley of Boston. Although originally brought into the Wheatley household as a servant and attendant to Wheatley's wife, Phillis was soon accepted as a member of the family, and was raised with the Wheatley's other two children.
Phillis soon displayed her remarkable talents by learning to read and write English. At the age of
...
Read more »
