Poetry can inspire, evoke, provoke and transport the reader. But this collection of 39 poems did even more - it broke barriers. This collection was written by Phillis Wheatley, the first African-American woman whose poetry writings were published. Seized from West Africa as a young girl, Phillis lived in Boston as a slave to the prominent Wheatley family where she learned to read and write, as well as undertaking lessons in the Bible, astronomy, geography, history and British, Greek and Latin Literature. By the age of 18, Phillis had amassed a decent quantity of poems and together with the Wheatley family, sought out a publisher. However, based on racial prejudices, Phillis was received with disdain in the United States. Attention was turned to London instead, where Phillis posted one of her poems, 'On the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield', to Selina Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon and a well-off supporter of the abolitionist cause, who connected her with a bookseller although Wheatley still had to go through interrogation to prove that she was the author of her own work. This collection of poems shows the breadth and depth of her reading, and includes poems reflecting her Christian faith, her interest in Greek mythology and her admiration for well-known figures including Alexander Pope. 'Poems on Various Subjects' is perfect for people who have read 'The Interesting Narrative of Olaudah Equiano'. Phillis Wheatley (1753-1784) was an American poet who was the first African-American writer to be published. She was born in West Africa, sold into slavery aged seven or eight, then bought by the Wheatley family of Boston. They encouraged her to pursue her poetry as her talent became clear. But Wheatley had to go to London to find patrons to help her get her work published. When 'Poems on Various Subjects' was published in 1773, she gained fame in England and the African colonies - even receiving praise from George Washington and Voltaire. After being emancipated, she married the grocer John Peters. But they slipped into poverty and Phillis died in obscurity at the age of 31.

"Phillis Wheatley: Complete Writings. Poems and Letters. Illustrated" is a comprehensive collection that celebrates the life and literary legacy of Phillis Wheatley, one of the most significant figures in African American literature. This anthology features a wide range of Wheatley's works, including her celebrated poems and insightful letters, accompanied by beautiful illustrations. As the first African American woman to publish a book of poetry in the United States, Wheatley's writings reflect her remarkable talent, intelligence, and resilience in the face of adversity. Her poetry encompasses various themes, including religion, freedom, race, and the human experience, showcasing her mastery of form, language, and imagery. In addition to her poetry, this collection includes Wheatley's personal letters, providing readers with intimate glimpses into her life, thoughts, and relationships. Through her correspondence, Wheatley reveals her experiences as a slave, her struggles for recognition and respect, and her unwavering commitment to her craft. Enhanced with illustrations that complement Wheatley's lyrical prose and profound insights, this edition offers readers a visually stunning and intellectually enriching experience. "Phillis Wheatley: Complete Writings" is a testament to Wheatley's enduring legacy as a trailblazing poet and a pioneering voice in American literature, whose words continue to inspire and resonate with readers across generations. Table of Contents: POEMS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, RELIGIOUS AND MORAL EXTANT POEMS NOT PUBLISHED IN POEMS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS LETTERS

This book includes classic poems by such eminent poets as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Edgar Allan Poe, Emily Dickinson, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Sara Teasdale, William Butler Yeats, Louisa May Alcott, Walt Whitman, Herman Melville, Gertrude Stein and others. Anne Bradstreet Phillis Wheatley William Cullen Bryant Ralph Waldo Emerson Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Edgar Allan Poe Abraham Lincoln Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr Herman Melville Walt Whitman Frances E. W. Harper Emily Dickinson Ella Wheeler Wilcox Ernest Lawrence Thayer Edwin Arlington Robinson Stephen Crane James Weldon Johnson Paul Laurence Dunbar Gertrude Stein Vachel Lindsay Claude McKay Countee Cullen Amy Lowell James Oppenheim Elizabeth Barrett Browning Emma Lazarus Louisa May Alcott Ellis Parker Butler Hugh Henry Brackenridge Matthew Arnold William Butler Yeats William Blake Sara Teasdale William Barnes