10 interesting facts about phillis wheatley

Who was Phillis Wheatley?

Phillis Wheatley was the first African American and the first woman to publish a book. She was also the first woman to make a living from her writing and all was accomplished while being a slave. The story of her life is interesting and tragic as it has both successes and failures; ironically she suffered the consequences of slavery after she was manumitted.

Through her work Phillis Wheatley is credited with helping create the foundation of African American literature and provide inspiration to African American emancipation from slavery.Wheatley’s worksare the departure point in the study of African American literature.

Phillis Wheatley was born in Western Africa, in either Senegal or Gambia. She was purchased by John Wheatley as a child slave servant to help his wife and daughter, Susanna and Mary. The Wheatleys were a progressive Bostonian family who did not consider it immoral to educate a slave even though it was illegal Biographical information on phillis wheatley high school.