Phillis Wheatley
Who is Phillis Wheatley
Phillis Wheatley Peters, also spelled Phyllis and Wheatly (c. 1753 – December 5, 1784) was an American author who is considered the first African-American author of a published book of poetry. Born in West Africa, she was sold into slavery at the age of seven or eight and transported to North America, where she was bought by the Wheatley family of Boston. After she learned to read and write, they encouraged her poetry when they saw her talent.
On a 1773 trip to London with her master's son, seeking publication of her work, Wheatley met prominent people who became patrons. The publication in London of her Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral on September 1, 1773, brought her fame both in England and the American colonies. Figures such as George Washington praised her ...
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Phillis Wheatley Poems
- To The King's Most Excellent Majesty 1768
YOUR subjects hope, dread Sire--
The crown upon your brows may flourish long,
And that your arm may in your God be strong!
O may your sceptre num'rous nations sway,
...
- To Maecenas
MAECENAS, you, beneath the myrtle shade,
Read o'er what poets sung, and shepherds play'd.
What felt those poets but you feel the same?
Does not your soul possess the sacred flame?
...
- To The Rt. Hon. William, Earl Of Dartmouth
Hail, happy day, when, smiling like the morn,
Fair Freedom rose New-England to adorn:
The northern clime beneath her genial ray,
Dartmouth, congratulates thy blissful sway:
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- To His Honour The Lieutenant-governor, On The Death Of His Lady Marc 24, 1773
ALL-Conquering Death! by thy resistless pow'r,
Hope's tow'ring plumage falls to rise no more!
Of scenes terrestrial how the glories fly,
Forget their splendors, and submit to die!
...
- To A Gentleman And Lady On The Death Of The Lady's Brother And Sister, And A Child Of The Name Of Av
ON Death's domain intent I fix my eyes,
Where human nature in vast ruin lies:
With pensive mind I search the drear abode,
Where the great conqu'ror has his spoils bestow'd;
...
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Phillis Wheatley Quotes
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Comments about Phillis Wheatley
- Philipsemanor: phillis wheatley was perhaps the most famous enslaved woman in the american colonies.
- Lellingw: 51% done with the odyssey of phillis wheatley, by david waldstreicher
- Lellingw: 62% done with the odyssey of phillis wheatley, by david waldstreicher
- Umdearborncasl: experience the musical suite "ocean: the life and times of phillis wheatley" tonight, wed., march 29, 2023, at 6 pm in the mary kochoff auditorium, 1030 cb.
- Nyamsinc: write a paragraph about phillis wheatley’s complex story and its significance to both antiracism and to the attraction abolitionists had to assimilation.
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