1753-1784

George Washington, worried that his troops are not a match for the mighty British army, is inspired by a poem written to him by Phillis Wheatley, a former slave, who knew what it was like to long for freedom.

Explores the roles of Phillis Wheatley and Thomas Jefferson in shaping African-American literary tradition, discussing how Phillis gained acceptance and freedom by being the first person of African descent to publish a book of poems in the English language in 1773. Discusses the effects of Jefferson's harsh criticism of the poet and her race.

A brief look at the life and times of Phillis Wheatley, who is bought as a slave by a wealthy Boston family, is taught to read and write, and becomes colonial America's first African-American poet.

Shows the life and times of Phillis Wheatley and George Washington who did so much to lay the foundation of our country.

Examines the life of Phillis Wheatley, discussing how she came to America as a slave in 1761, her education in reading and writing by her owners, her interest in the Bible, and her struggles to be recognized as a poet.

A biography of Phillis Wheatley, a slave in colonial America who became famous as a poet.

Relates the story of a young girl bought as a slave by a Boston family where she later learned to write and became a poet.

Biography of poet Phillis Wheatley, a freed slave during the years when the colonies prepared to fight the American Revolution.

Follows the life of one of America's first African American poets from her sale as a child slave on the Boston auction block to her death as an impoverished freedwoman in 1784.

Primary sources help provide a brief introduction to the life and times of African-American poet Phillis Wheatley.