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Phillis Wheatley. Phillis Wheatley. Born 1753??? Gambia or Senegal? Died Dec. 5, 1784 Brought from West Africa at about 8 years old Purchased by John Wheatley in 1761 The Wheatley family discovered that she was very intelligent and taught her to read and write.
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Phillis Wheatley • Born 1753??? Gambia or Senegal? • Died Dec. 5, 1784 • Brought from West Africa at about 8 years old • Purchased by John Wheatley in 1761 • The Wheatley family discovered that she was very intelligent and taught her to read and write. • She read Latin and Greek classics, contemporary English poets.
Phillis Wheatley • At age 13, she published her 1st poem. • 1773 published Poems on Various Subjects: Religious and Moral in London. • Published in London – Boston publishers refused to publish her material. • This is probably the first book ever published by an African. • Shortly after publishing her book, she returned to America from London to attend the dying Mrs. Susannah Wheatley – John’s wife.
Phillis Wheatley • Had she not left England, she would likely have been presented to the court of King George III – celebrity status. • 1776 Presented to George Washington. • Freed in 1778 after the death of John Wheatley. • Married John Peters 1778, one month after John Wheatley’s death.
Phillis Wheatley • His grocery business went bankrupt, 2 of their children died, and eventually he left her. • She fell into obscurity, and died giving birth to their 3rd child. • Her poetry deals solely with New England, the Revolution, Christianity, slavery, etc. We know very little about her life in Africa before coming to America. • She writes that her only memory of Africa is of her mother pouring water before sunrise.
