On Being Brought From Africa to America

• First African American to publish a book of poetry.

• She was a slave owned by John Wheatley and was the personal assistant to Susannah, his wife.

• The Wheatleys tutored her in literature, Latin, and Greek (this was rare).

• She published her first poem in 1767 at the age of 13

• She was given her freedom in 1774 when Susannah died.

• Wheatley's first and only book of poems was published in 1773

• To prove she was the author, 17 (white) men had to sign assertions

• She was the first African American, the first slave, and the third American woman to publish a book of poetry

’Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land,

Taught my benighted soul to understand

That there’s a God, that there’s a Saviour too:

Once I redemption neither sought nor knew.

Some view our sable race with scornful eye,

“Their colour is a diabolic die.”

Remember, Christians, Negroes, black as Cain,

May be refin’d, and join th’ angelic train.

Some view our sable race with scornful eye,

"Their colour is a diabolic die."

Remember, Christians, Negroes, black as Cain,

May be refin'd, and join th' angelic train.