National Poetry Month: 5 Black poets who made American history

1. Phillis Wheatley (1753 – 1785)

Phillis Wheatley was purchased as an enslaved person at the age of eight. By age nine, she learned English and began studying Latin, Greek, the Bible, and literary classics. At 13, Wheatley began writing poetry, including On the Death of Rev. Mr. George Whitefield, published in New York, Boston, and Philadelphia.

In 1772, Wheatley published her first book of poems, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, in London, making her the first African-American and second woman to publish a poetry book. Though she received international acclaim for her work, Wheatley had to defend herself against accusations claiming that no Black person could have written such work. Wheatley’s work was inspired by her life’s influences and religion.