Phillis Wheatley
America’s First African
American Poet
Phillis Wheatley
Phillis Wheatley
Phillis Wheatley
•Phillis
•TheDecember
•On
Wheatley
Wheatley
21,
family
was
1767,
born
taught
the
inNewport
Phillis
Africa English,
(probably
Christianity,
Mercury
published
Senegal)
Latin, about
ancient
the 141753
year
history,
or
old’s
1754.
first
•When
mythology
poem,
ashe
tale
was
and
of about
two
classical
men
eight
who
literature.
years
nearly
old,drowned
she was
kidnapped
•The
at
sea,Wheatleys,
andand
of their
brought
clearly
steady
toaBoston
faith
family
in where
of
God.
culture
she
landed
and education,
•Her
elegy
July for
11, the
1761.
allowed
evangelist
PhillisGeorge
time to study
•There
and write.
Whitefield
JohninWheatley
1770, brought
boughtmore
her for
attention
his
wife,
•Her
to
herSusanna,
situation
including
allowed
asvisits
a personal
by
hera time
number
servant.
to learn
of and
•As
to write
Boston's
was the
poetry.
notables,
custom
Phillis
including
of the
Wheatley
time,
political
she
hadwas
fewer
figures
given
restrictions
and
poets.
the Wheatley
than most
family's
slavessurname.
experienced -•For
but she
•She
apublished
first
wasname,
stillmore
ashe
slave.
poems
was given
eachthe
year
name
andofa
the
collection
ship thatofhad
her brought
poems was
her published
to Boston,in
Phillis.
London on September 1, 1773 when she was
19.
Phillis Wheatley
The introduction to this volume of poetry by
Phillis Wheatley is unusual: as a preface is
an "attestation" by seventeen men of Boston
(including do
theassure
Governor
of Massachusetts)
WE whose Names are underwritten,
the World,
that the
that she had,
written
the poems
POEMS specified in the following
Page,indeed,
were (as
we verily
believe)
written by Phillis, a youngherself:
Negro Girl, who was but a few Years
since, brought an uncultivated Barbarian from Africa, and has ever
since been, and now is, under the Disadvantage of serving as a Slave
in a Family in this Town. She has been examined by some of the best
Judges, and is thought qualified to write them.
Phillis Wheatley
•Phillis
•On
October
dedicated
26, 1775,
the book
welltobefore
the Countess
American
•The central theme of this poem is
of Huntingdon
Independence
was
in England.
declared
in 1776,
Phillis
“freedom’s
cause,”
the
colonies’
struggle
for
•The collection
Wheatley
sentEngland,
aof
poem
poems
she
followed
hadGeneral
written
a trip
to that
freedom
from
which
she tookWashington,
George
to England.
lauding
She was
his
sent
appointment
to
Washington
was assigned
to lead.
England
as
commander
forother
herofhealth
the Continental
when
Wheatley's
Army.
•Like
many
residents
of the
Boston,
son, Nathaniel,
was for
traveling
to England
Wheatley’s
feelings
the British
regimeon
business.
turned
from obedient admiration to mild
•She causedand
quite
a sensation
in Europe.
admonition,
finally,
to support
of the
•She had to return unexpectedly to America
revolution.
whenpoem
they anticipates
received word
Mrs.
•The
the that
future
forWheatley
the new
was ill. and praises the efforts of its military
republic,
•Mrs. Wheatley died the next spring.
leader and first president.
Phillis Wheatley
To His Excellency General Washington
Muse!
bow
propitious
while
my
penofrelates
Fam'd
for
thy
valour,
thyrealms
virtues
more,
Celestial
choir!
enthron'd
in
light,
Ah! cruel
blindness
tofor
Columbia's
state!
How
pour
her
armies
through
atoils
thousand
gates,
Hear
every
tongue
guardian
aidIofwrite.
implore!
Columbia's
scenes
of
glorious
In
bright
array
they
seek
the work
war,
Lament
thy
thirst
ofthy
boundless
power
too late.
As
when
Eolus
heaven's
fair
face
deforms,
One
century
scarce
perform'd
itswaves
destined
round,
While
freedom's
cause
her
anxious
breast
alarms,
Where
high
unfurl'd
the
ensign
inside,
air.
Proceed,
great
chief,
with
virtue
on
thy
The goddess
comes,
she
moves
divinely
fair,
Enwrapp'd
in
tempest
and
a
night
of
storms;
When
Gallic
powers
Columbia's
fury
found;
She
flashes
dreadful
in
refulgent
arms.
Shall
I to Washington
their
praiseguide.
recite?
Thy ev'ry
actionbinds
let theher
goddess
Olive
and
laurel
golden
hair;
Astonish'd
ocean
feels
the wild
uproar,
And
so may
you,
whoever
dares
disgrace
See
mother
earth
her
offspring's
fate
bemoan,
Enough
thou
know'st
them
in the
fields
of fight.
A
crown,
a
mansion,
and
a
throne
that
shine,
Wherever
shines
the
native
of
the
skies,
The
refluent
surges
the
sounding
The
land
freedom's
heaven-defended
And
nations
gaze
at beat
scenes
before
unknown!
Thee,
firstofunfading,
in
peace
and
honours,
-weshore;
demand
With
gold
WASHINGTON!
berace!
thine.
Unnumber'd
charms
and
recent
graces
rise.
Or
thick
asthe
leaves
in
reign,light
Fix'd
are
eyes
ofAutumn's
nations
ongolden
the
scales,
See
the
bright
beams
of
heaven's
revolving
The
grace
and
glory
of
thy martial
band.
Such,
so
theveil
warriors's
train.
For inastheir
hopesmoves
Columbia's
arm
prevails.
Involved
in many,
sorrows
and the
of night!
Anon Britannia droops the pensive head,
While round increase the rising hills of dead.
Cambridge, February 28, 1776.
Phillis Wheatley
If you
In
honour
should
of which,
ever come
and as
to aCambridge,
tribute justly
or due
neartoHead
you,Quarters,
I would have
I shall
published
be happythe
to Poem,
see a
Washington,
as
busy
as
he
was
with
organizing
the
colonies
to
take
delay,
and
plead
my
excuse
for
the
seeming,
but
not
real
neglect.
Mrs.
Your
favour
the
26th
oftoOctober
did not
reach
myso
hands
'tilland
thebeneficent
middle
of
had I Phillis:
person
not
sobeen
favoured
apprehensive,
by theofMuses,
that,
and
while
Iwhom
only meant
Nature
tohas
give
been
the
World
liberal
this
new
instance
December.
TimeI might
enough,
you
will say,
to imputation
have
given of
an Vanity.
answer
ere this.
But
on
the
British,
senthave
a letter
back
to Wheatley
thanking
her
forelse,
thea
of her
in
your
dispensations.
genius,
incurred
the
This
and Granted.
nothing
I thankofyou
most
your
polite
notice
of me, intothe
elegant
variety
important
continually
interposing
distract
theLines
mind you
and enclosed;
determined
me
notsincerely
to
Ioccurrences,
am,
giveher
with
itfor
place
great
inRespect,
thehim
public
etc.
Prints.
poem
and
inviting
to
visit
if
she
ever
came
to
Cambridge,
and however
undeserving
I may
of such encomium
withdraw
the attention,
I hope
willbeapologize
for the and panegyrick, the style and
Massachusetts.
manner exhibit a striking proof of your great poetical Talents.
Phillis Wheatley
•Having
•When
•The
•Washington
•Eventually
•When
•Considering
two
her
children,
indid
master
1773,
was
John
meet
thatPhillis
trying
roundly
died
deserted
in
Phillis
March
into
Wheatley
March
Wheatley
lauded
support
Phillis.
of 1776,
ofinpublished
the
1778,
In
poems
was
seven
poverty
family,
she
was
losing
years
and
andfreed.
her
bought
prose
collection
among
before
twoatMary
after
children
a the
strangers,
slave
the
of
Wheatley,
war
poems
auction
successful
towas
death,
onentitled
finished
December
in
the
and
1761,
conclusion
daughter
dealing
Poems
and
not
5,true
able
1784,
of
with
on
ofthe
to
family,
the
independence
the
she
Various
read
war's
Revolutionary
died,
or
died
effects
write
Subjects,
and
that
was
and
her
and
same
War
third
incapable
declared.
Religious
a year.
shaky
inchild
1783,
marriage,
of
and
died
speaking
but
Moral,
hours
Phillis
after
it
•A
Wheatley
• English,
Wheatley’s
she
was
Inmonth
April
did.
the first
after
was
of
her
poem
1776,
work
able
book
the was
death
to
the
is
ofpublish
truly
poetry
written
author
of John
astounding.
few
published
and
when
Wheatley,
poems
political
the by an
Phillis
during
philosopher
war’s
•Her outcome
African
Wheatley
last
thisAmerican,
known
period.
Thomas
was
married
poem
very
and
Paine
was
only
John
uncertain,
published
written
the
Peters,
second
the
for
a free
book
black
•She
Wheatley’s
British
George
by
aaddressed
man
woman
being
Washington.
ofpoem
Boston.
the
inseveral
what
obvious
to Washington
would
other
favorites
poems
become
in to
The
tothe
win.
George
Washington.
Pennsylvania
•It
United
can beStates.
said
She
Magazine.
that
sent
Wheatley
them to was
him,the
but he
never
groundbreaker
•Benjamin
responded
Franklin
inagain.
beginning
offeredthe
hisWashington
services to
legend
her, asasdid
themany
“father
other
of our
high-ranking
country.” men in
America.
Phillis Wheatley
Bibliography
Photo of Phillis’ book of poetry:
Scipio Moorhead. “Phillis Wheatley, Negro Servant to Mr. John
Wheatley, of Boston.” Frontispiece engraving to Wheatley's Poems
on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral (London: Printed for A.
Bell, 1773; PS866.W5 1773 RBSC). Rare Book and Special
Collections Division. LC-USZC4-5316 (color); LC-USZ62-40054
(black and white).
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/images/tlc0395.jpg
Library of Congress: Rare Book and Special Collections Division
Bibliography
Washington’s letter to Wheatley:
George Washington to Phillis Wheatley, February 28, 1776
http://memory.loc.gov/mss/mgw/mgw3h/001/013012.jpg
http://memory.loc.gov/mss/mgw/mgw3h/001/014013.jpg
The George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress 17411799
Credit Line: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division.
Bibliography
Photograph of George Washington:
The Prayer at Valley Forge / painted by H. Brueckner ; engd. by
John C. McRae, New York : John C. McRae, c1866.
SUMMARY
George Washington praying under trees; military camp in
background.
REPOSITORY
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington,
D.C. 20540 USA
http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/cph/3a00000/3a07000/3a07400/
3a07460v.jpg
Credit Line: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
LC-USZ62-4036 DLC
Bibliography
Phillis’ signature:
A letter from Phillis Wheatley to Dear Obour, Dated Boston,
March 21, 1774.
Printed Ephemera Collection; Portfolio 37, Folder 26b.
DIGITAL ID
rbpe 0370260b http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.rbc/rbpe.0370260b
http://memory.loc.gov/rbc/rbpe/rbpe03/rbpe037/0370260b/001dr.jp
g