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Phillis Wheatley

First African-American poet (1753–1784)

  • Fame55.5
  • Momentum0.0
  • Wikipedia14.6K
Source-basedStable
Lived 1753–1784, aged 31United States
United States flagUnited StatesWritersWriter / Author
  • Wikipedia
    44 languages
    Cross-language footprint
  • Era
    1753–1784
    Aged 31
Summary
Updated 2026-06-09

She was stolen from West Africa as a child, enslaved in Boston, and became the first African-American poet to see a book in print — a collection that drew praise from George Washington and made her famous on both sides of the Atlantic before she was twenty.

Biography

About

Born in West Africa around 1753, she was sold into slavery at seven or eight and bought by the Wheatley family of Boston, who taught her to read and write and encouraged the poetry that emerged. In 1773 she traveled to London with the Wheatleys' son to seek publication; there she met patrons, and on September 1 her Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral appeared, bringing her fame in England and the colonies. The Wheatleys emancipated her shortly after, then died, and she married John Peters, a poor grocer. They lost three children, all of whom died young. She died in poverty and obscu…

Voice

In their own words

Sourced, dated quotes from Phillis Wheatley

Phillis Wheatley
said
Celestial choir! enthron'd in realms of light, Columbia's scenes of glorious toils I write. While freedom's cause her anxious breast alarms, She flashes dreadful in refulgent arms.
— To His Excellency, George Washington (1775).
Phillis Wheatley
said
See mother earth her offspring's fate bemoan, And nations gaze at scenes before unknown!
— To His Excellency, George Washington (1775).
Phillis Wheatley
said
Olive and laurel binds her golden hair: Wherever shines this native of the skies, Unnumber'd charms and recent graces rise. Muse!
— To His Excellency, George Washington (1775).
Phillis Wheatley
said
Such, and so many, moves the warrior's train. In bright array they seek the work of war, Where high unfurl'd the ensign waves in air. Shall I to Washington their praise recite?
— To His Excellency, George Washington (1775).
Phillis Wheatley
said
Thee, first in peace and honor - we demand The grace and glory of thy martial band. Fam'd for thy valor, for thy virtues more, Hear every tongue thy guardian aid implore!
— To His Excellency, George Washington (1775).
via Wikiquote · CC BY-SA
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By the numbers

Score breakdown

The six component signals behind the Fame score, and their ranks across the leaderboards.

Fame
Stable
55.5
Composite of search demand, mentions, audience & graph footprint.
Score components
Momentum0.0
Historical24.1
Now attention0.1
Source confidence60.0
Completeness70.0
Global rank
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Country rank
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Receipts

Sources

  • Wikidata
    wikidata · wikidata.org
    High confidence
  • Wikipedia
    wikipedia · en.wikipedia.org
    High confidence
  • Pantheon 2.0
    database · pantheon.world
    High confidence