The Life of Phillis Wheatley

  • Welcome to the World

  • Period: to

    The LIfe of Phillis Wheatley

  • Taken as Slave

    exact month and day unknown. Taken to New England as a slave on a ship named "Phillis." She was later purchased by John Wheatley and was made a servant.
  • Began Writing Poems

    exact month and day unknown. She was educated even as a slave, and lived in the house with her slaveowner. She, compared to the other slaves, was well taken care of.
  • Poem Published

    exact date unknown. first African American female poet to be published. Her master's son went to London to get it published, and it soon gained international attention due to her intelligence. The poem was a tribute to George Whitefield.
  • First book written

    exact date unknown
  • Freed from slavery

    exact date unknown
  • Performed for General Washington

    could not find exact day or month. This was big for an African American female at the time. She was invited into Washington's home for a private reading to thank her.
  • Married John Peters

    John Peters was a free black man.
  • John deserted Phillis and children

    Phillis was left to support herself and her surviving child (her other two children died early.)
  • Death Date

    She was 31. Her other child died hours after she did.