Phillis Wheatley

America’s First African American Poet

Phillis Wheatley

Phillis Wheatley

Phillis Wheatley•Phillis Wheatley was born in Africa Phillis Wheatley was born in Africa (probably Senegal) about 1753 or 1754. (probably Senegal) about 1753 or 1754. •When she was about eight years old, she was When she was about eight years old, she was kidnapped and brought to Boston where she kidnapped and brought to Boston where she landed July 11, 1761. landed July 11, 1761. •There John Wheatley bought her for his There John Wheatley bought her for his wife, Susanna, as a personal servant. wife, Susanna, as a personal servant. •As was the custom of the time, she was As was the custom of the time, she was given the Wheatley family's surname. given the Wheatley family's surname. •For a first name, she was given the name of For a first name, she was given the name of the ship that had brought her to Boston, the ship that had brought her to Boston, PhillisPhillis. .

•The Wheatley family taught Phillis English, The Wheatley family taught Phillis English, Christianity, Latin, ancient history, Christianity, Latin, ancient history, mythology and classical literature.mythology and classical literature.•The Wheatleys, clearly a family of culture The Wheatleys, clearly a family of culture and education, allowed Phillis time to study and education, allowed Phillis time to study and write. and write. •Her situation allowed her time to learn and Her situation allowed her time to learn and to write poetry. Phillis Wheatley had fewer to write poetry. Phillis Wheatley had fewer restrictions than most slaves experienced -- restrictions than most slaves experienced -- but she was still a slave. but she was still a slave.

•On December 21, 1767, the On December 21, 1767, the Newport Newport MercuryMercury published the 14 year old’s first published the 14 year old’s first poem, a tale of two men who nearly drowned poem, a tale of two men who nearly drowned at sea, and of their steady faith in God. at sea, and of their steady faith in God. •Her elegy for the evangelist George Her elegy for the evangelist George Whitefield in 1770, brought more attention Whitefield in 1770, brought more attention to her including visits by a number of to her including visits by a number of Boston's notables, including political figures Boston's notables, including political figures and poets. and poets. •She published more poems each year and a She published more poems each year and a collection of her poems was published in collection of her poems was published in London on September 1, 1773 when she was London on September 1, 1773 when she was 19.19.

Phillis WheatleyThe introduction to this volume of poetry by The introduction to this volume of poetry by Phillis Wheatley is unusual: as a preface is Phillis Wheatley is unusual: as a preface is an "attestation" by seventeen men of Boston an "attestation" by seventeen men of Boston (including the Governor of Massachusetts) (including the Governor of Massachusetts) that she had, indeed, written the poems that she had, indeed, written the poems herself:herself:

WE whose Names are underwritten, do assure the World, that the WE whose Names are underwritten, do assure the World, that the POEMS specified in the following Page, were (as we verily believe) POEMS specified in the following Page, were (as we verily believe) written by Phillis, a young Negro Girl, who was but a few Years written by Phillis, a young Negro Girl, who was but a few Years since, brought an uncultivated Barbarian from Africa, and has ever since, brought an uncultivated Barbarian from Africa, and has ever since been, and now is, under the Disadvantage of serving as a Slave 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 in a Family in this Town. She has been examined by some of the best Judges, and is thought qualified to write them.Judges, and is thought qualified to write them.

Phillis Wheatley•Phillis dedicated the book to the Countess Phillis dedicated the book to the Countess of Huntingdon in England. of Huntingdon in England. •The collection of poems followed a trip that The collection of poems followed a trip that she took to England. She was sent to she took to England. She was sent to England for her health when the Wheatley's England for her health when the Wheatley's son, Nathaniel, was traveling to England on son, Nathaniel, was traveling to England on business. business. •She caused quite a sensation in Europe. She caused quite a sensation in Europe. •She had to return unexpectedly to America She had to return unexpectedly to America when they received word that Mrs. Wheatley when they received word that Mrs. Wheatley was ill. was ill. •Mrs. Wheatley died the next spring.Mrs. Wheatley died the next spring.

•On October 26, 1775, well before American On October 26, 1775, well before American Independence was declared in 1776, Phillis Independence was declared in 1776, Phillis Wheatley sent a poem she had written to Wheatley sent a poem she had written to George Washington, lauding his George Washington, lauding his appointment as commander of the appointment as commander of the Continental Army. Continental Army.

•The central theme of this poem is The central theme of this poem is “freedom’s cause,” the colonies’ struggle for “freedom’s cause,” the colonies’ struggle for freedom from England, which General freedom from England, which General Washington was assigned to lead. Washington was assigned to lead. •Like many other residents of Boston, Like many other residents of Boston, Wheatley’s feelings for the British regime Wheatley’s feelings for the British regime turned from obedient admiration to mild turned from obedient admiration to mild admonition, and finally, to support of the admonition, and finally, to support of the revolution. revolution. •The poem anticipates the future for the new The poem anticipates the future for the new republic, and praises the efforts of its military republic, and praises the efforts of its military leader and first president. leader and first president.

Phillis WheatleyTo His Excellency General Washington

Celestial choir! enthron'd in realms of light,Celestial choir! enthron'd in realms of light,Columbia's scenes of glorious toils I write.Columbia's scenes of glorious toils I write.While freedom's cause her anxious breast alarms,While freedom's cause her anxious breast alarms,She flashes dreadful in refulgent arms.She flashes dreadful in refulgent arms.See mother earth her offspring's fate bemoan,See mother earth her offspring's fate bemoan,And nations gaze at scenes before unknown!And nations gaze at scenes before unknown!See the bright beams of heaven's revolving lightSee the bright beams of heaven's revolving lightInvolved in sorrows and the veil of night!Involved in sorrows and the veil of night!

The goddess comes, she moves divinely fair,The goddess comes, she moves divinely fair,Olive and laurel binds her golden hair;Olive and laurel binds her golden hair;Wherever shines the native of the skies,Wherever shines the native of the skies,Unnumber'd charms and recent graces rise.Unnumber'd charms and recent graces rise.

Muse! bow propitious while my pen relatesMuse! bow propitious while my pen relatesHow pour her armies through a thousand gates,How pour her armies through a thousand gates,As when Eolus heaven's fair face deforms,As when Eolus heaven's fair face deforms,Enwrapp'd in tempest and a night of storms;Enwrapp'd in tempest and a night of storms;Astonish'd ocean feels the wild uproar,Astonish'd ocean feels the wild uproar,The refluent surges beat the sounding shore;The refluent surges beat the sounding shore;Or thick as leaves in Autumn's golden reign,Or thick as leaves in Autumn's golden reign,Such, as so many, moves the warriors's train.Such, as so many, moves the warriors's train.

In bright array they seek the work of war,In bright array they seek the work of war,Where high unfurl'd the ensign waves in air.Where high unfurl'd the ensign waves in air.Shall I to Washington their praise recite?Shall I to Washington their praise recite?Enough thou know'st them in the fields of fight.Enough thou know'st them in the fields of fight.Thee, first in peace and honours, -we demandThee, first in peace and honours, -we demandThe grace and glory of thy martial band.The grace and glory of thy martial band.

Fam'd for thy valour, for thy virtues more,Fam'd for thy valour, for thy virtues more,Hear every tongue thy guardian aid implore!Hear every tongue thy guardian aid implore!One century scarce perform'd its destined round,One century scarce perform'd its destined round,When Gallic powers Columbia's fury found;When Gallic powers Columbia's fury found;And so may you, whoever dares disgraceAnd so may you, whoever dares disgraceThe land of freedom's heaven-defended race!The land of freedom's heaven-defended race!Fix'd are the eyes of nations on the scales,Fix'd are the eyes of nations on the scales,For in their hopes Columbia's arm prevails.For in their hopes Columbia's arm prevails.Anon Britannia droops the pensive head,Anon Britannia droops the pensive head,While round increase the rising hills of dead.While round increase the rising hills of dead.

Ah! cruel blindness to Columbia's state!Ah! cruel blindness to Columbia's state!Lament thy thirst of boundless power too late.Lament thy thirst of boundless power too late.Proceed, great chief, with virtue on thy side,Proceed, great chief, with virtue on thy side,Thy ev'ry action let the goddess guide.Thy ev'ry action let the goddess guide.A crown, a mansion, and a throne that shine,A crown, a mansion, and a throne that shine,With gold unfading, WASHINGTON! be thine.With gold unfading, WASHINGTON! be thine.

Phillis WheatleyWashington, as busy as he was with organizing the colonies to take Washington, as busy as he was with organizing the colonies to take on the British, sent a letter back to Wheatley thanking her for the on the British, sent a letter back to Wheatley thanking her for the poem and inviting her to visit him if she ever came to Cambridge, poem and inviting her to visit him if she ever came to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Massachusetts.

Cambridge, February 28, 1776.Cambridge, February 28, 1776.

Mrs. Phillis: Your favour of the 26th of October did not reach my hands 'till the middle of Mrs. Phillis: Your favour of the 26th of October did not reach my hands 'till the middle of December. Time enough, you will say, to have given an answer ere this. Granted. But a December. Time enough, you will say, to have given an answer ere this. Granted. But a variety of important occurrences, continually interposing to distract the mind and variety of important occurrences, continually interposing to distract the mind and withdraw the attention, I hope will apologize for thewithdraw the attention, I hope will apologize for the

delay, and plead my excuse for the seeming, but not real neglect.delay, and plead my excuse for the seeming, but not real neglect.

I thank you most sincerely for your polite notice of me, in the elegant Lines you enclosed; I thank you most sincerely for your polite notice of me, in the elegant Lines you enclosed; and however undeserving I may be of such encomium and panegyrick, the style and and however undeserving I may be of such encomium and panegyrick, the style and manner exhibit a striking proof of your great poetical Talents.manner exhibit a striking proof of your great poetical Talents.

In honour of which, and as a tribute justly due to you, I would have published the Poem, In honour of which, and as a tribute justly due to you, I would have published the Poem, had I not been apprehensive, that, while I only meant to give the World this new instance had I not been apprehensive, that, while I only meant to give the World this new instance of your genius, I might have incurred the imputation of Vanity. This and nothing else, of your genius, I might have incurred the imputation of Vanity. This and nothing else, determined me not to give it place in the public Prints.determined me not to give it place in the public Prints.

If you should ever come to Cambridge, or near Head Quarters, I shall be happy to see a If you should ever come to Cambridge, or near Head Quarters, I shall be happy to see a person so favoured by the Muses, and to whom Nature has been so liberal and beneficent person so favoured by the Muses, and to whom Nature has been so liberal and beneficent in her dispensations. in her dispensations.

I am, with great Respect, etc.I am, with great Respect, etc.

Phillis Wheatley•The two did meet in March of 1776, seven The two did meet in March of 1776, seven years before the war was finished and true years before the war was finished and true independence was declared.independence was declared.• In April of 1776, the author and political In April of 1776, the author and political philosopher Thomas Paine published philosopher Thomas Paine published Wheatley’s poem to Washington in Wheatley’s poem to Washington in The The Pennsylvania MagazinePennsylvania Magazine. .

•Washington was roundly lauded in poems Washington was roundly lauded in poems and prose after the successful conclusion of and prose after the successful conclusion of the Revolutionary War in 1783, but the Revolutionary War in 1783, but Wheatley’s poem was written when the Wheatley’s poem was written when the war’s outcome was very uncertain, the war’s outcome was very uncertain, the British being the obvious favorites to win. British being the obvious favorites to win. •It can be said that Wheatley was the It can be said that Wheatley was the groundbreaker in beginning the Washington groundbreaker in beginning the Washington legend as the “father of our country.”legend as the “father of our country.”

•When her master died in March of 1778, she When her master died in March of 1778, she was freed. Mary Wheatley, the daughter of the was freed. Mary Wheatley, the daughter of the family, died that same year. family, died that same year. •A month after the death of John Wheatley, A month after the death of John Wheatley, Phillis Wheatley married John Peters, a free Phillis Wheatley married John Peters, a free black man of Boston.black man of Boston.

•Having children, trying to support the family, Having children, trying to support the family, losing two children to death, and dealing with losing two children to death, and dealing with the war's effects and a shaky marriage, Phillis the war's effects and a shaky marriage, Phillis Wheatley was able to publish few poems Wheatley was able to publish few poems during this period. during this period. •She addressed several other poems to George She addressed several other poems to George Washington. She sent them to him, but he Washington. She sent them to him, but he never responded again.never responded again.

•Eventually John deserted Phillis. In poverty and among strangers, on December 5, 1784, she died, and her third child died hours after she did.  •Her last known poem was written for George Washington.

•When in 1773, Phillis Wheatley published When in 1773, Phillis Wheatley published her collection of poems entitled her collection of poems entitled Poems on Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and MoralVarious Subjects, Religious and Moral, it , it was the first book of poetry published by an was the first book of poetry published by an African American, and only the second book African American, and only the second book by a woman in what would become the by a woman in what would become the United States. United States. •Benjamin Franklin offered his services to Benjamin Franklin offered his services to her, as did many other high-ranking men in her, as did many other high-ranking men in America. America.

•Considering that Phillis Wheatley was Considering that Phillis Wheatley was bought at a slave auction in 1761, not able to bought at a slave auction in 1761, not able to read or write and incapable of speaking read or write and incapable of speaking English, her work is truly astounding.English, her work is truly astounding.

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.jpgLibrary of Congress: Rare Book and Special Collections Division

Bibliography

Washington’s letter to Wheatley:

George Washington to Phillis Wheatley, February 28, 1776http://memory.loc.gov/mss/mgw/mgw3h/001/013012.jpghttp://memory.loc.gov/mss/mgw/mgw3h/001/014013.jpgThe George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress 1741-1799 Credit Line: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division.

BibliographyPhotograph of George Washington:

The Prayer at Valley Forge / painted by H. Brueckner ; engd. by John C. McRae, New York : John C. McRae, c1866. SUMMARYGeorge Washington praying under trees; military camp in background. REPOSITORYLibrary of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/cph/3a00000/3a07000/3a07400/3a07460v.jpgCredit 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 IDrbpe 0370260b http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.rbc/rbpe.0370260bhttp://memory.loc.gov/rbc/rbpe/rbpe03/rbpe037/0370260b/001dr.jpg