Phillis Wheatley | The Most Important American You've Never Heard of

Summary

Phyllis Wheatley, an African-born woman enslaved in America, emerged as a literary genius and unofficial Poet Laureate of the new nation. Despite her enslavement, she gained international recognition for her poetry, which reflected on life, death, and freedom. Her work transcended her status, engaging with current events and influencing figures like George Washington. Wheatley's story is one of remarkable resilience and talent in the face of adversity.

Takeaways

• 📜 Phyllis Wheatley was a significant figure in American literature, often referred to as the 'founding mother' of America.
• 🎨 She was a young woman of African origin, likely from Senegal or Gambia, who was transported to America and sold into slavery.
• 📚 Despite her circumstances, Phyllis was educated by her owners, the Wheatley family, and by age 12, she was reading Greek and Latin.
• 📝 At 14, she began writing her own poetry, which gained her international recognition for its thoughtful, compassionate, and religious content.
• 🌟 Her portrait, painted by black artist Scipio Moorhead, was revolutionary for its time, as individual portraits were rare and typically not associated with people of African descent.
• 📖 Her book of poems was published in London after it was initially met with skepticism in America, requiring an attestation of authorship by eminent people.
• 🗽 In London, Phyllis was recognized as a genius, and she met many important figures, including William Wilberforce and possibly George Washington.
• 🚢 Upon returning to America, she experienced the American Revolution firsthand and even had her books shipped back on a ship that was involved in the Boston Tea Party.
• ✍️ Phyllis wrote a consequential poem to George Washington, which is believed to have boosted his morale during a critical time in the American Revolution.
• 🌍 She is remembered not only for her poetry but also for her influence on the events of her time and her subtle commentary on slavery and freedom.

Q & A

Who is Phyllis Wheatley and why is she considered a 'founding mother' of America?

Phyllis Wheatley was an African-American slave who became a prominent poet in the 18th century. She is considered a 'founding mother' of America due to her influential poetry that contributed to the cultural and intellectual life of the time, and her works were seen as personifying the new nation's aspirations for freedom and unity.

What was Phyllis Wheatley's background and how did she come to America?

Phyllis Wheatley was likely from Senegal or Gambia and was brought to America at the age of 7 or 8, having been seized and transported in the Middle Passage. She was sold as a slave in Boston to the Wheatley family, who named her Phyllis after the ship she arrived on.

How did Phyllis Wheatley receive an education and what did she study?

Phyllis Wheatley was educated by the Wheatley family, who provided her with a remarkable education for a woman of any race at the time. By the age of 12, she was reading Greek and Latin, and by 14, she had read extensively in literature, including works by Shakespeare, Horace, Virgil, and Ovid.

What was the significance of Phyllis Wheatley's portrait and why was it revolutionary?

The portrait of Phyllis Wheatley by Scipio Moorhead was significant because portraits of individuals, especially women and people of color, were rare at the time. It was revolutionary for her portrait to be widely disseminated in high culture, indicating a recognition of her intellectual and artistic contributions.

What was the content of Phyllis Wheatley's poetry like and how did it gain her international recognition?

Phyllis Wheatley's poetry was thoughtful, compassionate, and religious. Her elegies, in particular, gained her international recognition for their profound reflections on life, death, and immortality.

Can you provide an example of Phyllis Wheatley's poetry and what themes does it explore?

One of her most anthologized poems is 'On Imagination,' which explores themes of creativity, the power of the mind, and the transcendence of the physical world. It showcases her mastery of rhyme, rhythm, and classical references.

How did Phyllis Wheatley engage with current events and how was her work received in Boston?

Phyllis Wheatley engaged with current events by writing poems about them, such as one to King George praising him for repealing the Stamp Act. However, her work was met with skepticism in Boston, where people did not believe that a black poet could write such poetry, requiring an attestation by eminent people to confirm her authorship.

Why did Phyllis Wheatley travel to London and what happened there?

Phyllis Wheatley traveled to London in 1773 because her work was not being published in America. In London, she was recognized as a genius, her book was published, and she gained freedom as the law had changed to grant freedom to any slave setting foot in England.

Who were some of the important people Phyllis Wheatley met or corresponded with in London?

In London, Phyllis Wheatley met or corresponded with important figures such as William Wilberforce, the Countess of Huntington, and she later met Benjamin Franklin and possibly George Washington in America.

What was the significance of Phyllis Wheatley's poem to George Washington?

Phyllis Wheatley's poem to George Washington was significant as it was a morale-boosting piece of writing at a critical time during the American Revolution. It praised Washington and is believed to have filled him with spirit and confidence.

How did Phyllis Wheatley's life end and what is her legacy?

Phyllis Wheatley died at the age of 31, likely due to her chronic asthma. Her legacy is as a pioneering poet and intellectual who navigated a society deeply prejudiced against her race and status, and who contributed significantly to the cultural and intellectual life of the new nation.