X-Nico

3 unusual facts about Phillis Wheatley


Aldgate

In 1773 Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral by Phillis Wheatley, the first book by an African American was published in Aldgate after her owners could not find a publisher in Boston, Massachusetts.

George Washington and slavery

According to Wiencek, his thoughts on slavery may have also been influenced by the rhetoric of the American Revolution, the example of the thousands of blacks who enlisted in the army to fight for independence, the anti-slavery sentiments of his idealistic aide John Laurens, and his knowledge of the ability of the enslaved black poet Phillis Wheatley, who in 1775 wrote a poem in his honor.

Phillis

Phillis Wheatley (1753-1784), first published African American poet


1768 in poetry

Phillis Wheatley writes "To the King's Most Excellent Majesty," in which she praised George III for repealing the Stamp Act.


see also