Poems on various subjects, religious and moral (eBook)

Phillis Wheatley (c. 1753 – December 5, 1784) was the first African-American woman to publish a book of poetry. Born in West Africa, she was sold into slavery at the age of seven or eight and transported to North America. She was purchased by the Wheatley family of Boston, who taught her to read and write and encouraged her poetry when they saw her talent. In 1773, her collection 'Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral' was published, marking a significant moment in American literary history. Wheatley's poetry is characterized by its classical references and Christian themes. She wrote in the neoclassical style of the time, emphasizing formality and adherence to classical poetic structures. Her work was generally well-received, with patrons in both England and the American colonies, and it contributed to the genre of 18th-century American literature. Despite being enslaved for most of her life, Wheatley's mastery of language and form was praised by many contemporary writers, including George Washington. Sadly, she died young, and her later works were lost, but her legacy as a pioneering African-American poet endures. Phillis Wheatley's life and work are often cited as early examples of African-American literature contributing to broader conversations of freedom and human rights in the era of slavery.