Phyllis Wheatley Letter To Reverend Samson Occom

Phyllis Wheatley (1753? – 1784) Slave who became a highly regarded Revolutionary poet. Born in West Africa. Brought to America when she was 8. Wheatley family bought her and taught her to read and write. First poem published when she was 13.

Wheatley… Became famous for a poem about the death of George Whitehead. Went to London with Wheatley, and made a great impression on British court.

Letter To Rev. Occom written in 1774 directly addresses the injustice of slavery in a way that she does not in her poetry. letter was written shortly after the death of her mistress, when she had been freed for four months. Her recipient, Samson Occom, was a Native American preacher who, like Wheatley, was introduced in England as a Christian prodigy

Revolutionary War Returned to Boston in Wrote poems supporting the American cause, which included “To His Excellency, George Washington.” Was invited to visit by Washington himself as a result of the poem.

Later years… Freed by Wheatley family in 1778 when John Wheatley died. Married John Peters, a free black man. He was eventually imprisoned because he could not keep a job.

Death… Had three children with Peters, but two died in infancy. Poetry fell into obscurity, though she published a second collection. Died alone and impoverished in 1778.

Personification The attribution of human powers and characteristics to something that is not human, such as an object, and aspect of nature, or an abstract idea.