Enlarge the close, contracted mind, and fill it with thy fire. — Phillis (image via Library of Congress) In 1761, Phillis was kidnapped from West Africa and sold into slavery at just 8 years old, delivered to the Wheatley household in Boston. The Wheatleys taught Phillis to read and write, and introduced her to the work of John Milton, Alexander Pope and more. She began chronicling her daily life in verse and by 1771, she had written her first book of poetry. And when John Wheatley died in 1774, his final will made Phillis a free woman. She sailed to London, secured a publisher for her book and was honored internationally, even meeting Benjamin Franklin at her book party in England.
A Woman to Know: Phillis Wheatley
A Woman to Know: Phillis Wheatley
A Woman to Know: Phillis Wheatley
Enlarge the close, contracted mind, and fill it with thy fire. — Phillis (image via Library of Congress) In 1761, Phillis was kidnapped from West Africa and sold into slavery at just 8 years old, delivered to the Wheatley household in Boston. The Wheatleys taught Phillis to read and write, and introduced her to the work of John Milton, Alexander Pope and more. She began chronicling her daily life in verse and by 1771, she had written her first book of poetry. And when John Wheatley died in 1774, his final will made Phillis a free woman. She sailed to London, secured a publisher for her book and was honored internationally, even meeting Benjamin Franklin at her book party in England.