1753 - 1784

She was kidnapped from Africa at age seven and sold at a slave auction to a Boston family who treated her as a family member.

She quickly learned English, then Greek and Latin and came to know the Bible well.

Her poem on the death of the Reverend George Whitefield brought her fame and an invitation from the Countess Selina of Huntington to come to London for assistance in publishing her poems.

Her book of poems, "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral" was published in 1773. It was the first volume of poetry to be published by an African American.

Phillis received her freedom and married in 1778, but despite her skills, was unable to support her family. She died at the young age of 31.