TWA Poet: Phillis Wheatley

It was on this date in 1773 that African-American poet Phillis Wheatley was emancipated from slavery. She had been kidnapped from West Africa and put on a Boston slave ship as a young girl. John Wheatley, a tailor, bought her as a personal servant for his wife, Susanna. She was exceptionally bright, and was taught to read and write; she mastered English…