First published in 1834, this volume contains a collection of memoirs
and poems by Phillis Wheatley (c. 1753-1784). Wheatley was an American
freed slave and poet who wrote the first book of poetry by an
African-American. Sold into slavery in West Africa at the age of around
seven, she was taken to North America, where she served the Wheatley
family of Boston. Phillis was tutored in reading and writing by Mary,
the Wheatleys' 18-year-old daughter, and was reading Latin and Greek
classics from the age of twelve. Encouraged by the progressive Wheatleys
who recognised her incredible literary talent, she wrote "To the
University of Cambridge" when she was 14. By 20 had found patronage in
Selina Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon. Her works garnered acclaim in
Both England and the colonies, and she became the first African American
to make a living as a poet. This volume contains a collection of
Wheatley's best poetry, including the titular poem "Being Brought from
Africa to America". Contents include: "To Mæcenas", "On Virtue", "On
Bring Brought from Africa to America", "To the University of Cambridge,
in New-England", "To the King's Most Excellent Majesty 1768", "On the
Death of the Rev. Dr. Sewell 1769", "On the Death of the Rev. Mr. George
Whitefield 1770", "On the Death of a Young Lady of Five Years of Age",
etc. Ragged Hand is proudly republishing this classic collection of
poetry in a new edition, complete with an introductory chapter by L.
Maria Child.
