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Phillis Wheatley

1753-1784

Phillis Wheatley arrived in Boston, alone and nearly naked, on a slave ship from Gambia, Africa.

Phillis was about 7 years old when she was purchased by the Wheatley family.

Mrs. Wheatley intended to train Phillis to be a house servant.

Phillis quickly learned to read and write.

She began to write poetry which was good enough to be published.

Phillis became famous for her poetry and traveled to England to promote her book.

The Wheatley's gave Phillis her freedom, but she continued to live with the family.

Later, Phillis married and had a child, but it didn't work out.

Phillis was writing her third book of poetry when she and her baby died.

Netlinks for Phillis Wheatley

Wikipedia: Phillis Wheatley

Perspective in American Literature: Chapter 2: Phillis Wheatley

Women in History: Phillis Wheatley

Biography on answers.com: Phillis Wheatley

Women's Hisrory: Slave Poet of Colonial America

Engines of Our Ingenuity: 620: Phillis Wheatley... (includes Audio)

Poem: To His Excellency George Washington by Phillis Wheatley (enslaved poetess)

Poems of Phillis Wheatley

On Phillis Wheatley

Poet's Corner: Phillis Wheatley