Phillis Wheatley (1753?-1784), American poet, born in Africa, generally recognized as the first important black American poet. Captured by slave traders at the age of eight, she was brought to the American colonies and sold to the Wheatley family of Boston, Massachusetts. She began writing poetry at the age of 13, using as models English poets of the time, especially Alexander Pope and Thomas Gray. In 1773 she accompanied a member of the Wheatley family to England, where she gained widespread attention in literary circles. She subsequently returned to Boston. Wheatley's best-known poems are “To the University of Cambridge in New England” (1767) and “To the King's Most Excellent Majesty” (1768). Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral (1773) was published in London.