Wheatley, Phillis, entry in Appletons' Cyclopaedia of American Biography

What it is

This is a biographical entry on Phillis Wheatley from Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography, published in 1889 by D. Appleton and Co. It summarizes her life from her arrival in America as an enslaved child to her death in Boston, describing her education, her 1774 trip to England, and her correspondence with notable figures including the Countess of Huntingdon and George Washington.

Why it matters

Written over a century after Wheatley's death, this entry shows how later historians understood and recorded her story, including her enslavement, rapid education, and relationships with prominent figures of her time, such as Washington, who replied warmly to her poem about him.

Look closer

• What language does the entry use to describe Wheatley's origins and enslavement, and how does that compare to how we would describe it today?
• What does the mention of her correspondence with Washington reveal about her social connections?
• What might this kind of encyclopedia entry leave out about her inner life or poetry itself?