Phillis Wheatley, 1753-1784
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Phillis Wheatley, 1753–1784
Poet
Born in 1753 in Gamba, West Africa, Phillis was caught by slave traders who later sold her to a tailor from Boston named John Wheatley. John Wheatley’s wife, Susanna, taught Phillis how to read from the Bible and she began to study English, Latin and Greek. Phillis then began to write remarkable poetry that became famous across the world with her faith as the message of her poetic platform. Phillis wrote how salvation was not just for the white man but was available for every person. Phillis spoke the truth of God’s love for all people not from a pulpit, but by way of her pen.