Day 17: George Washington's Favorite Poet? Phillis Wheatley

     The development of the African-American genre in literature did not begin in the 1960's,  where most people assume this to be the case due to the Civil rights brand sweep through the country.  It actually begins in the early part in America's history.   As a matter of fact,  the first African-American writer/poet to have their works published is Phillis Wheatley.  It is said, that she is one of George Washington's favorite poet.  

     Ms. Wheatley lead a very different life than that of most slaves. In 1761,  she was enslaved by John Wheatley for the purpose to be a slave for his wife Susanna.   The family was well established in Boston and they were considered to be progressive in their day.   Phillis leaned to read, write and learn with the help of each of the family members.   They encouraged her education which lead to her writing poetry.   It is recorded that she is the first African-American to be a published writer and poet. A look into her work is surprising because of the subject matter that is surprising to today's readers.   

    Ms. Wheatley's poems are deep in spirituality,  politics and the views of a slave.  One might think that she would have a very limited view of the world because of her social status.   How eloquent or thoughtful could a slave be in the 1700's.   By the accounts of her own narrative and those from Master and Mistress Wheatley,  by age  twelve,  Phillis understood complex languages such as Greek, Latin and was able to read difficult Bible pages.  Writers who influenced her own works  were  Alexander Pope, John Milton, Homer, Horace and Virgil.  Quite an education for a slave.  It was also quite an education of a girl of her age, regardless of race.   In November of 1773,  Phillis became a free woman.   No longer bound in slavery, she was free to live her own life and  marry another free black man, John Peters.  

    The purpose of shedding light on this particular author is because in many circles this plot is largely forgotten in the pages of history.   Everyone knows of famed former slave and author Federick Douglas, but not many can recall the works of Phillis Wheatley.  Her poem entitled, "His Excellency,  General Washington" earned her an invitation to meet with the General at his headquarters in Cambridge, Massachutes.  This visit took place in March of 1776.  In honor of that occasion, Thomas Paine republished her poem in the  Pennsylvania Gazette.  Thus earning her the title of one of George Washington's favorite Poet.  

    Phillis Wheatley's.published works "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Morals" published in 1773 was well received and had benefactors to support the publication the book.  It is here that we find thirty-nine poems written to specific persons or on the occasion of specific life events.  Just as she wrote about General Washington,  Phillis also penned a poem for King George which applauded him for reminding the Stamp Act.  What is sad about this particular writer is that many of her poems are lost forever.  A proposal for a second volume of her poems was presented but never acted upon.  Without benefactors to financial support the project,   the poems were forgotten and lost.  Ms. Wheatley died at the age of thirty-one, poor, penniless but proud.      

    Tracking down Phillis Wheatley's book in a library might be a difficult task.  Many of her works, may be found in anthologies or collections of work.   All is not lost due to the capabilities of search engines, internet and digital preservation.   A website that is a wonderful resource for finding classic literature is  www.Libvox.com.  Most if not all literature that is the  public domain can be found here.   Search the name Phillis Wheatley and several links come up including her book available in audio or text format.  It's a goldmine for literature lovers everywhere.