Revolutionary Poet: A Story About Phillis Wheatley (Creative Minds Biographies Series)

She was named after the slave ship, Phillis, which brought her to Boston, Massachusetts in 1761 and she died at the age of 31, yet Phillis Wheatley lived a life full of accomplishment, adventure and love. The family who bought her as a slave recognized her intellect and encouraged her to learn to read and helped support her writing of poetry. She traveled to London where she met Britain's elite as well as Benjamin Franklin, who offered to help in her publishing efforts. Phillis wrote of religion, everyday life and the Revolutionary War. She was set free in 1773, married and gave birth to three children. Her health was fragile and her life was filled with hardship but she persevered and was the first black American to publish a book.