Bronze statue  designed by Meredith Bergmann.
Part of the Boston' Women's Memorial.

Phillis Wheatley (1753 – 1784) was kidnapped in West Africa as a child, transported to America, and sold to a prominent Boston family. The Wheatleys recognized Phillis’ interest and aptitude for learning and supplied her with a proper education. By her early teens, she was reading Greek and Latin and writing poetry. Through contacts made possible by the Wheatley family, she published a book at the age of 20 -- the first American slave, the first person of African descent, and the third colonial American female to claim that honor. Freed by the Wheatleys when she was 22, Phillis eventually married John Peters and had several children—all of whom eventually died. Peters was a poor provider and spent much of his time in jail, but despite her dismal living conditions, Phillis continued to write and receive acclaim from such esteemed individuals as George Washington and Thomas Paine. At one time, she was considered the world’s most famous African and she remains one of the best-known poets of pre-19th century America.