Phillis Wheatley was the first African American woman to publish a book of poetry in America. She was born in West Africa (most likely Senegal) in 1753 and was enslaved and brought to Boston, Massachusetts as a child. Wheatley was purchased by the Wheatley family, who taught her to read and write, which was highly unusual for an enslaved person at that time.

Phillis Wheatley's poetry quickly gained recognition for its skill and depth, and she became a prominent figure in American literature during the Revolutionary War era. Her work often addressed themes of freedom, religion, and the experience of being enslaved. In 1773, she published her first and only book of poetry, "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral," which brought her international acclaim.

Wheatley's achievements were groundbreaking for a Black woman in a time of widespread racial prejudice and enslavement. Her poetry challenged the dominant narratives of her time and continues to be celebrated for its significance in Black literary history.