Phillis was born in Gambia, Africa between the years of 1753 and 1755 historians arent sure.

People debate whether she came from Senegal/Gambia and she may have been a Fula the Moslem people who read Arabic script. She was kidnapped into slavery and brought on a slaving vessel on the Middle Passage. Her name is derived from the ship that brought her to America, The Phillis. At the age of seven or eight she was sold John and Susanna Wheatley in Boston on July 11, 1761. They and their daughter Mary encouraged Phillis to learn to read and write, she was also taught Greek and Latin. Her first piece was published when she was 12,

On Messrs. Hussey and Coffin.

The Countess of Huntingdon, Selina Hastings was a friend of the Wheatley family. She supported and financed the publication of her book of poetry entitled Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral . Phillis was about 18 at the time. Phillis' popularity as a poet originated both in the United States and England. She appeared before General Washington in March, 1776. Her poetry was a strong supporter of independence during the Revolutionary War. Phillis believed slavery to be the issue which separated whites from heroism. When her owners died she was freed and married John Peter a former slave -. Her style of writing was an elegiac poetry. Possibly imitating the genre of speech taught to her by the women in her African American tribal group. Phillis skill in Latin, allowed her to write in the short epic style with the publication of "Niobe in Distress. Her elegy on a popular evangelical Methodist minister George Whitefield brought instant success to her, upon his death. Phillis passed from childbirth around the age of 30. This was in 1784, in Boston, Massachusetts.

'Twas mercy brought me from my pagan land, Taught my beknighted soul to understand That there's a God, that there's a Savior too: Once I redemption neither sought nor knew. Some view our sable race with scornful eye, "Their color is a diabolic dye." Remember Christians; Negroes, black as Cain, May be refin'd, and join th' angelic train.

Poems Quote

Whites cannot "hope to find/Deivine acceptance with th' Almighty mind" when "they disgrace/And hold in bondage Afric's blameless race."

First time accomplishments of a woman of her day: First African American to publish a book An accomplished African American woman of letters First African American woman to earn a living from her writing First woman writer encouraged and financed by a group of other women (Mrs. Wheatley, Mary Wheatly, and Selina Hastings)

Ode To Neptune

WHILE raging tempests shake the shore, While AElus' thunders round us roar, And sweep impetuous o'er the plain Be still, O tyrant of the main; Nor let thy brow contracted frowns betray, While my Susanna skims the wat'ry way. The Pow'r propitious hears the lay, The blue-ey'd daughters of the sea With sweeter cadence glide along, And Thames responsive joins the song. Pleas'd with their notes Sol sheds benign his ray, And double radiance decks the face of day. To court thee to Britannia's arms Serene the climes and mild the sky, Her region boasts unnumber'd charms, Thy welcome smiles in ev'ry eye. Thy promise, Neptune keep, record my pray'r, Not give my wishes to the empty air