Complete Writings. Poems and Letters

Written by Phillis Wheatley

Narrated by Mark Bowen

"Phillis Wheatley: Complete Writings. Poems and Letters" is a comprehensive collection that celebrates the life and literary legacy of Phillis Wheatley, one of the most significant figures in African American literature. This anthology features a wide range of Wheatley's works, including her celebrated poems and insightful letters.
As the first African American woman to publish a book of poetry in the United States, Wheatley's writings reflect her remarkable talent, intelligence, and resilience in the face of adversity. Her poetry encompasses various themes, including religion, freedom, race, and the human experience, showcasing her mastery of form, language, and imagery.
In addition to her poetry, this collection includes Wheatley's personal letters, providing readers with intimate glimpses into her life, thoughts, and relationships. Through her correspondence, Wheatley reveals her experiences as a slave, her struggles for recognition and respect, and her unwavering commitment to her craft.
"Phillis Wheatley: Complete Writings" is a testament to Wheatley's enduring legacy as a trailblazing poet and a pioneering voice in American literature, whose words continue to inspire and resonate with readers across generations.
Table of Contents:
POEMS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, RELIGIOUS AND MORAL
EXTANT POEMS NOT PUBLISHED IN POEMS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS
LETTERS

• Language: English
• Publisher: Strelbytskyy Multimedia Publishing
• Release date: Mar 25, 2024

Phillis Wheatley

Phillis Wheatley (1753-1784) was an African American poet. Born in West Africa, she was stolen into slavery as a young girl and purchased by the Wheatley family of Boston. Raised to work as a servant for Susanna Wheatley, she was tutored by the Wheatley children in reading and writing, learning Greek and Latin by the age of twelve and writing her first poem at fourteen. Recognizing her talent, the Wheatley family sought publication for her work, eventually moving Phillis to London at the age of twenty in search of wealthy patrons. In 1773, her Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral became the first book of poetry ever published by an African American author, earning her worldwide fame and the acclaim of such figures as George Washington, Jupiter Hammon, Voltaire, and John Paul Jones. That same year, she was emancipated by the Wheatleys, and in 1778 she married a free black businessman named John Peters. Her final years were plagued with illness, debt, and manual labor; her death at the age of thirty-one cut short the improbable life of a true pioneer of American literature.