Phillis Wheatley: The World Was Not Worthy of Her

In 1773 Phillis Wheatley was the first African-American woman to publish a book of poetry. In 1761 Slave traders captured Phillis in the Gambia when she was seven years old. The traders then sold her to the Wheatley family in Boston. She quickly learned English, Latin, Greek, Astronomy, Geography, and many other subjects. Her brilliant …