Biography of Phyllis Wheatley

Read the life story and biography of Phyllis Wheatley, the first African American writer to publish a book in America…
Comments on article "Biography of Phyllis Wheatley"
Name Views and CommentsDate
vanessa where did philid wheatly spend her childhood? 11/30/2008
Nancy H. Her name was Phillis, not Phyllis; she was named after the slave ship which brought her to Boston. She did not purchase her freedom; her manumission was granted ny John Wheatley after the death of Mrs. Wheatley, perhaps due to influence from friends in England, where she published her book. She was not merely popular, she was the first published black American, though she was forced to go to England to publish her book since, as indicated, Americans were reluctant to acknowledge her ability. She never met George Washington, although they corresponded and her poem dedicated to him, entitled "To His Excellecy General Washington," was published in Pennsylvania Magazine in April, 1776. Her ties to her white patrons were severed in part due to the war and to resultant shifting political tides, not merely the death of her mistress. To characterize her poetry as including "several" elegies is a gross understatement, as the elegies make up a majority of her work.

Folks, this information is readily available with minimal research. I came across this site whilie conducting research on Ms. Wheatley; please do a little fact-checking.		 7/17/2008
Brook How old was Phyllis Wheatley when she died?




 4/5/2008
autumn did she have any part in the american revolution 2/23/2008
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