Discovering Phillis Wheatley: Top 10 Unbelievable Fun Facts About America's First African-American Poet

1. First African American Female Poet Sensation

In the 18th century version of "slaying" the literary scene, we turn to a trailblazing sensation who penned poetic fire like it was nobody's business: Phillis Wheatley's book, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, not only made history in 1773 as the first poetry book published by an African American woman but also won high praise from literary giants like Voltaire and George Washington.
Source => npg.si.edu

2. Hermione's 18th-Century Rival

I bet even Hermione Granger would be jealous of Phillis Wheatley's magical way with words and spellbinding abilities at an early age: By the ripe old age of 12, Phillis mastered her master's entire library, effortlessly penned poetic verses, and by 20, had her own poetry book published and was hobnobbing with London's literary elite. Bewitched, anyone?
Source => latimes.com

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3. Founding Fathers' Literary Crush

A poet so profound, she had founding fathers fanboying: Phillis Wheatley, an 18th-century literary maven, had her poetry lauded by the likes of Benjamin Franklin and George Washington, who even invited her to his humble abode for some face-to-face kudos on her creative prowess.
Source => poets.org

4. 18th-Century Lie Detector for Poets

Phillis Wheatley did the 18th-century equivalent of passing a lie-detector test to prove her poetic prowess: A panel of 18 prominent Bostonians, including those who owned slaves, examined her manuscripts, publishing an attestation letter to verify her authorship. Thanks to this impressive stamped approval, Wheatley went on to publish "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral" in 1773, becoming the first African American female writer to do so.
Source => constitutioncenter.org

5. Snail Mail Networking Queen

When she wasn't busy writing poems that put her on the colonial-era bestseller list, Phillis Wheatley was indulging in some good ol' fashioned snail mail powwows with reverends and philanthropists: She wrote to Reverend Samson Occom advocating for the rights of enslaved people and exchanged ideas with British philanthropist John Thornton, ultimately forging an influential network of supporters through the power of penmanship.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

6. Revolutionary Quill-Wielding Queen

Introducing the 18th-century wordsmith sensation who spewed rhythm and rhyme whilst bearing the weight of society's chains, the poetic mistress with the most wit: Phillis Wheatley is famed as the first African American author to publish a book of poetry, with her collection "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral" making waves in London and the American colonies back in 1773.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

7. Defying Stereotypes, One Poem at a Time

Lo and behold the "Poet-ess" of the Revolution, breaking quills and taking names: Phillis Wheatley not only became the first black woman to publish a book of poetry in America, but also used her wit and intellect to challenge assumptions about African Americans, proving their equal capacity for creativity and education.
Source => womenshistory.org

8. From Slave Ship to Literary Maven

Phillis Wheatley sure knows how to make an entrance: named after the slave ship that brought her to America and just over a year later, she was schmoozing with the Bible, Greeks, and Latin classics like it was a red carpet event! No biggie: she then became the first African American and second woman to publish a book of poems in the country, with her work endorsed by fancy folks like John Hancock and the English Countess of Huntingdon.
Source => womenshistory.org

9. Angelou's Trailblazing Predecessor

Move over, Maya Angelou, there's a poetic trailblazer in town: Phillis Wheatley was the first African American woman to have her poetry published, even earning international recognition in Europe and becoming a literary influencer during the late 18th century.
Source => founders.archives.gov

10. Wheatley's Talent: Poetry and Powerful Friends

Step aside, LinkedIn: Phillis Wheatley was the epitome of 18th-century social networking prowess, rubbing elbows with the likes of Governor LinkedIn - er, we mean Hutchinson - and dabbling in silver connections with Paul "Midnight Ride" Revere: In all seriousness, this poetic mastermind secured patronage and support from influential figures such as Massachusetts Governor Thomas Hutchinson and famed silversmith and patriot Paul Revere, proving that her talent for poetry was matched only by her gift for making powerful friends.
Source => interestingliterature.com