Phillis Wheatley was a prominent figure in Black history as the first African American woman to publish a book. Born in Senegal around 1753, she was captured and enslaved at a young age before being transported to Boston, Massachusetts. Despite facing numerous challenges, Wheatley displayed exceptional talent for poetry and began writing at a young age.

Wheatley's first published work, "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral," was released in 1773. This literary achievement was groundbreaking, as it challenged the prevailing stereotypes about the intellectual capacities of Black people at the time. Wheatley's poetry explored themes of religion, morality, and the abolition of slavery, influencing the abolitionist movement in America and Europe.

Wheatley's work received recognition both in the American colonies and in Europe, and she gained fame as a symbol of African American literary prowess and intellectual achievement. Despite her success, Wheatley faced discrimination and financial difficulties throughout her life. She died in 1784 at the age of 31, leaving behind a legacy as a trailblazing poet and a forerunner of African American literature.