Phillis Wheatley | The Most Important American You've Never Heard of

We hear about America's founding fathers, but where are the founding mothers? Phillis Wheatley is one. She might be the most important American you've never heard of.

Christine Lambie discussed this black woman who was enslaved as a child yet was able to go on to international fame.

We can see Scipio Moorhead's portrait of Phillis. It was rare to have a portrait of black people at the time she lived. She was seized aged 7 in Africa and transported to America on the brutal middle passage. On arrival she was sold as a slave. Phillis was the name of the ship she travelled on and Wheatley was the name of the family who bought her.

The Wheatley family gave her a remarkable education; by age 12 she was reading Greek and Latin. She got an education that would have been remarkable for a woman of any race. But she also had extraordinary aptitude. And by the age of 14 she was writing her own poetry.

Her poem On Imagination is the most anthologised of her works:

Imagination! Who can sing thy force?
Or who describe the swiftness of thy course?
Soaring through air to find the bright abode,
Th'empyreal palace of the thund'ring God…
We on thy pinions can surpass the wind,
And leave the rolling universe behind:
From star to star the mental optics rove,
Measure the skies, and range the realms above.
There in one view we grasp the mighty whole,
Or with new worlds amaze th'unbounded soul.

She also had a keen interest and involvement in current affairs, corresponding with King George, George Washington and Ben Franklin. She became the unofficial poet laureate of the new nation in the making that was America in the 1770s. Phillis even created in words the image of Columbia, the personification of America.

There's a frequent theme in her poetry of freedom. She was skilful in drawing parallels between the hunger for freedom of black slaves and the colonies wanting freedom from British rule.


The School of Philosophy and Economic Science offers courses in practical philosophy and economics with justice as well as other subjects. It aims to approach philosophy in a practical way, encouraging students to apply philosophy in their lives. The School also introduces a mindfulness-type exercise leading eventually to mantra meditation.

Enjoyed this video? Subscribe to our channel to watch more videos from the School of Philosophy and Economic Science. Also visit our website for information about courses, lectures and events.

Connect with us:
Courses: https://schoolofphilosophy.org/pages/...
Website: https://schoolofphilosophy.org
Facebook: https://bit.ly/2YchKAoSPES
Instagram: @schoolofphilosophyUK
Twitter: @mandevilleplace
Join our Mailing list: bit.ly/3iCRB4A


Support the School: The School has many offerings free of charge or at a reduced fee. Any gift, however small, will help the School continue with its work. Make a Donation: https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/18466


© School of Philosophy and Economic Science.
Thanks to Richard Kigel for sharing his photos and also his excellent book, 'Heav'nly Tidings from the Afric Muse, The Grace and Genius of Phillis Wheatley'.

The School of Philosophy and Economic Science
11-13 Mandeville Pl, London W1U 3AJ
020 3287 1443
https://goo.gl/maps/Vv3kLCGNoVRDTtqe6
Charity numbers: 313115 and SC039950


=====================================================
#blackpoetry #philliswheatley #blackamerican #practicalphilosophy #freedom #americanpoetry #freedompoet #4thofjuly #spirituality #america #blackhistory #history #biography #blackamericanhistory #4thofjuly2024 #4thjuly