The Life and Writings of Phillis Wheatley

A Race and American Culture Discussion

Phillis Wheatley launched African American literature as we know it. In 1773 she became the first person of African descent ever to publish a book of poetry, a time when most people did not believe Black literacy was possible.

During our discussion, we will look over Wheatley’s most famous poem, “On Being Brought from Africa to America,” and how it tries to reconcile her faith with her enslavement. We will also discuss her difficult path to publication, including the infamous “Prefaces” that had to accompany her volume to convince white readers that this creative and intelligent African American woman really existed.

To access the readings, click here or visit any branch for a physical copy. The full collection of Phillis Wheatley's poems are available on The Project Gutenberg, or you can request a copy of her complete writings here.

This program is the 22nd in our ongoing "Race and American Culture" series and is for adults only.

About Dr. Ian Afflerbach

Dr. Ian Afflerbach is an Associate Professor of American Literature at the University of North Georgia, where he teaches courses in African-American literature, modern American fiction, and the history of ideas. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis, and has lived in Montreal, Vermont, North Carolina, and Germany. His first book, Making Liberalism New, was published in 2021, and he's currently working on a second, Sellouts! The Story of an American Insult, which examines the history of "selling out" in American culture.

Event image credit: siculodoc from Getty Images via Canva.com

Headshot and UNG logo provided by University of North Georgia

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