Can Afric’s muse forgetful prove?
Or can such friendship fail to move
A tender human heart?
Immortal Friendship laurel-crown’d
The smiling Graces all surround
With ev’ry heav’nly Art
Tag: Phillis Wheatley
Phillis Wheatley, first female black poet
Phillis Wheatley, the first known published female black poet in the United States, was born 1753 in West Africa. In 1761, against her will she brought to New England and sold to John Wheatley of Boston. The Wheatley’s, taking an interest in her education and her precocious nature, allowed her to learn to read and…