Phillis Wheatley is one of the most influential African American women in the history of the United States of America. She was the first published African American poet. In the late 1700’s, through her poems, she gained instant fame and became a beloved sensation throughout Boston. Wheatley gained recognition of her poems from such notable sources as George Washington and Voltaire. Hey story is an inspiration to all.

Wheatley was born in Senegal in 1753. On July 11th, 1761, Wheatley was brought to Boston on a slave ship called “The Phillis.” At eight years old, she was sold to a wealthy Bostonian named John Wheatley. John and his wife Susanna named Wheatley, Phillis, after the boat that had brought her to Boston. Under the tutelage of the Wheatley’s daughter Mary, Phillis was given an education. Phillis showed incredible literary abilities and was thus, encouraged to further explore her talents. As Phillis read works from the likes of Alexander Pope, John Milton, Homer, Horace and Vigil, she became increasingly more interested in poetry.

Phillis Wheatley’s first poem, “On Messrs. Hussey and Coffin” was published when she was just 12 years old. Throughout her career, Wheatley’s poetry, typically, incorporated strong Christian themes and dedicated many of her poems to famous personalities. In 1768 Wheatley wrote “To the King’s Most Excellent Majesty” in which she praised King George III for repealing the Stamp Act. Wheatley gained the most fame in 1770 when she wrote a poem attributed to George Whitefield, an Anglican Protestant minister, entitled “An Elegaic Poem On the Death of that celebrated Divine, and eminent Servant of Jesus Christ, the Reverend and Learned Mr. George Whitefield.”

In 1772, due to a belief that African women could not write poetry, Wheatley had to attend court to defend her literary ability. After being examined by a group of Boston luminaries that included John Hancock, it was concluded that she was the author of the poems ascribed to her. The attestation that the group of Boston luminaries wrote for her was published in the preface of her most famous work, “On Various Subjects, Religious and Moral.”

In 1776 Wheatley sent a poem to George Washington that praised him on his election to the General of the Continental Armies. Washington admired the poem so much that he invited Wheatley to his home. Later, the poem was republished in the Pennsylvania Gazette by Thomas Jefferson as a result of Wheatley’s audience with George Washington.

In 1778, after the death of Phillis’ master John Wheatley, Phillis was legally freed from slavery. Shortly thereafter Wheatley married a free black grocer by the name of John Peters. However, Peters was imprisoned for debt in 1784 and left Wheatley and their infant son behind. Phillis Wheatley died on Decembet 5th 1784 at the young age of 31. Three and a half hours later, her infant son died too.

Wheatley’s poetry is a significant achievement, not only amongst African Americans, but for all Americans. In a time during the beginning of the Revolutionary War, Wheatley provided an example of the profound affects of liberty. Through her works she moved and captivated many. There is no doubt that Phillis Wheatley, the slave girl that turned poet, had a great impact on the history of the United States of America.