Lucy Terry
African American writer, poet (1730-1821) · United States · On the map · Writers · Died at 91
Lucy Terry Prince, often credited as simply Lucy Terry, was an American settler and poet. Kidnapped in Africa and enslaved, she was taken to the British colony of Rhode Island. Her future husband purchased her freedom before their marriage in 1756.
Lucy Terry is read about 14 times a day, in 10 languages.
A typical day, 30 days to 21 June 2026
The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 60 days, one point a day.
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About this person
She composed a ballad poem, "Bars Fight", about a 1746 incident in which two white families were attacked by Native Americans. It was preserved orally until it was published in 1854 by J. G. Holland in the newspaper he edited, The Springfield Daily Republican. It is considered the oldest known work of literature by an African American.
