Phillis

Phillis Wheatley, the first African American poet to publish a book, gained international recognition with her 1773 collection, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral. Celebrated as "the African genius" in London, her work resonated across literate North America, despite her status as a slave. Her remarkable achievements highlight the complexities of her life and the profound impact of her literary voice during a time of great social and racial upheaval.