Phillis Wheatley (c. 1753-1784) was born in West Africa, sold into slavery, and brought to Boston at about age seven or eight, where she was purchased by the merchant John Wheatley and his wife, Susanna. Taught to read and write in their household, she studied English literature, Latin, and the Bible. Her first published poem appeared in the Newport Mercury in December 1767. Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral was printed in London in 1773, the first volume of poetry published by an African American. The book carried an attestation signed by John Hancock and other Boston notables.
