Phillis Wheatley

First Black female poet and mother of Black literature

Engraving of Phillis Wheatley
from Poems on Various Subjects,
Religious and Moral, 1773
(SHC Ref.1478/118, p. 1)

Today, Phillis Wheatley is renowned for being the 'Mother of Black Literature'. Her work Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral was published in 1773 and Surrey History Centre holds a first edition of this work among the papers of the Ware family of Tilford, Surrey (Surrey History Centre Ref.1487/118/1). It is a classic example of the unexpected treasures to be found among county archives.

However, Phillis' story is a far cry from the glamour of literary circle we know today……

In 1761, Phillis Wheatley was purchased as a child slave to Boston tailor, John Wheatley. Through the efforts of his wife Susanne, Phillis was lucky enough to be educated and at the age of fourteen began writing poetry. Unable to find an American publisher, Mrs Wheatley found a publisher in England who was willing to take Phillis's work. To help promotion of the work permission was obtained to dedicate it to the Countess of Huntingdon, and Phillis' book of poems was published. This was a first for a black woman. The Countess insisted a portrait of Phillis appear inside the front cover and Phillis travelled to London to publicise the book.

'On being brought from Africa to America'

Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land,
Taught my benighted soul to understand
That there's a God, that there's a Saviour too:
Once I redemption neither sought nor knew,
Some view our sable race with scornful eye,
"Their colour is a diabolic die."
Remember, Christians, Negroes, black as Cain,
May be refin'd, and join th' angelic train.

Much of Phillis' poetry reflects her classical and religious education in the Wheatley household and only the line 'Some view our sable race with scornful eye' hints at her feeling of racial inferiority or belonging to a perceived lesser race.

After John and Susanne Wheatley died. Phillis was forced to support herself as a seamstress but continued her poetry. In 1778, she married John Peters, a free black man who ran a grocery store in Boston. His business failed and Phillis was then forced to find work as a servant to support herself and her children. She wrote poetry up until her death, including poems celebrating the end of the American Revolution, which were published in 1784. No further work was published and she died in poverty in Boston on 5th December 1784.

Contributor:Surrey Heritage