Phillis Wheatley“She loved Words”

Phillis Wheatley was the first black woman in America to publish a book. She had an extraordinary literary talent. She especially was a great poetry writer. It was said that “She loved words”.

She Loved Words

1754 - Phillis Wheatley is born in Senegal, Africa.

1761 - Slave traders capture

Phillis Wheatley and

ship her to Boston.

1772- Phillis’s first book is published in

England

1775 – Writes A poem honoring General George

Washington.

TIME LINE OF IMPORTANT EVENTS IN PHILLIS WHEATLEY’S LIFE

1778 – Phillis is set free

from slavery

1778 – Phillis Marries John

Peters

1784 – Phillis dies at age

31

Phillis Wheatley

“On being brought to America”

The boat upon which Phillis Wheatley was brought from Africa to America in 1761.

Interview with Phillis

Today we will welcome Phillis Wheatley, an

American hero, and interview

her.

Hello. My name is Phillis

Wheatley and I was the first

black woman in America to

publish a book.

Interviewer: Tell us, Ms. Phillis, how did you come to America?

Phillis Wheatley: Well, in 1761, when I was about seven, slave traders captured me and put me on the ship “Phillis”. I sailed to Boston where Susanna and John Wheatley bought me as a slave. They named me “Phillis”, after the boat.

In: How did you come to be such a great poet under the burden of slavery?

PW: I have to say I do owe Mary Wheatley, Susanna Wheatley’s daughter, much of my success. She taught me how to read and write. Besides, I was only given light tasks as a slave.

InterviewThe sign for the slave auction at which Phillis was sold.

In: What else about your childhood can you share with us?

PW: I can recall studying geography, Latin, Greek mythology, science, and poetry. My favorite subject was definitely poetry. I remember that I loved poetry so much that Susanna would put a piece of paper and a quill pen next to my bed when I went to sleep, should any ideas come to my mind. As I was learning how to read and write, I got interested in the bible and I read it with great eagerness. Susanna saw this, and she brought me to the Old South Church where I was baptized as a Christian.

Interview The Old South Church in Boston

In: Was it hard work to publish your first book?

PW: Oh yes indeed, but it paid. First, people didn’t believe that a slave and woman could write poetry, so a council was organized to decide whether or not I wrote the poetry in my book. Fortunately, the people at the council finally decided that I had written it, but another obstacle lay in my way. You see, to be able to publish a book, you have to have a certain amount of subscribers. Well, not enough people in the colonies subscribed for my book, so Susanna tried to sell it in England. It was a success! Later, I tried to sell another book, but it failed to sell from a lack of subscribers.

Interview Phillis’s first book

In: Did you fight against slavery?

PW: Yes. Using my style of poetry, I tried to persuade people that Afro Americans are as much capable of doing things as white men.

Interview

In: Did you only write poetry?

PW: No, I also wrote letters to important people such as the Earl of Dartmouth, King George’s secretary, and even George Washington! George Washington liked my poem and letter so much that he invited me over to meet him!

In: Tell us about your late life.

PW: I married the wonderful John Peters, and we had 3 children. Sadly, all of them died.

In: Well, thank you for sharing with us, Ms. Wheatley. That’s all for today!

Interview Phillis’s letter to George Washington

Monuments

The boat Phillis was

named after

The statue made in

Phillis’s honor

The school named after Phillis

Phillis’s Poems

Her Poem “Farwell to America:

Susanna mourns, nor can I bearTo see the crystal show’rAnd mark the tender falling tearAt sad departures hour

Her Poem “Farwell to America” continued.

Not unregarding, can I seeHer soul with grief opprestBut let no sighs, no groans for meSteal from her pensive breast

Her Poem “Hymn to the Evening”

Soon as the sun forsook the eastern mainThe pealing thunder shook the heav’nly plainMajestic grandeur! From the zephyr's wing,Exhales the incense of the blooming spring

Thanks for Watching