Phillis Wheatley Quotes

Phillis Wheatley, also spelled Phyllis and Wheatly was the first published African-American female poet. Born in West Africa, she was sold into slavery at the age of seven or eight and transported to North America. She was purchased by the Wheatley family of Boston, who taught her to read and write and encouraged her poetry when they saw her talent.

The publication of her Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral brought her fame both in England and the American colonies. Figures such as George Washington praised her work. During Wheatley's visit to England with her master's son, African-American poet Jupiter Hammon praised her work in his own poem. Wheatley was emancipated after the death of her master, John Wheatley. She married soon afterward. Two of her children died as infants. After her husband was imprisoned for debt in 1784, Wheatley fell into poverty and died of illness, quickly followed by the death of her surviving infant son.

✵ 1753 – 5. December 1784
Phillis Wheatley photo
Phillis Wheatley: 15   quotes 5   likes

Famous Phillis Wheatley Quotes

“But, Madam, let your grief be laid aside,
And let the fountain of your tears be dry'd,
In vain they flow to wet the dusty plain,
Your sighs are wafted to the skies in vain,
Your pains they witness, but they can no more,
While Death reigns tyrant o'er this mortal shore.”

"To a Gentleman and Lady on the Death of the Lady's Brother and Sister, and a Child of the Name of Avis, aged one Year." st. 2, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral (1773)

“Creation smiles in various beauty gay
While day to night, and night succeeds day”

Works of Providence from Poems on Various Subjects kindle ebook ASIN B0083ZJ7SU

Phillis Wheatley Quotes about freedom

Phillis Wheatley Quotes

“When first thy pencil did these beaties give
And breathing figures learnt from thee to live”

To A young African painter from Poems on Various Subjects kindle ebook ASIN B0083ZJ7SU

“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.”

"On Being Brought from Africa to America" lines 5-8, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral (1773)

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