Phillis Wheatley was the First African American who had a book of poetry published. She was born in 1753 and died on December 5, 1784 at the age of 31. She was born in West Africa and was sold into slavery when she was 7 and imported into North America. When the was purchased by the Wheatley family they taught her how to write and read and encouraged her to poetry his when they saw her talent. The poem Poems On Various Subjects, Religious and Moral gave her fame in England and American Colonies. She was free after John Wheatley died and soon after she got married and had 3 kid who died as little kids. After her husband was imprisoned for debt in 1784 Wheatley fell into poverty and died of
