ABCTE United States History Practice Exam

Phyllis Wheatley holds the distinction of being the first female African American author to publish a book in the United States, which was titled "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral," released in 1773. Her achievement is significant not only because she was a pioneering figure in literature but also because she overcame immense social and racial barriers during a time when slavery was still prevalent in America. Wheatley's work often addressed themes of faith, freedom, and the struggles of her own life as an enslaved woman, and her poetry gained recognition from influential figures of her time, including George Washington.

While Harriet Jacobs made significant contributions to American literature with her autobiographical work, "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl," published in 1861, she was not the first. Zora Neale Hurston and Toni Morrison are also monumental authors in African American literature, with significant works published in the 20th century, but their publications came long after Wheatley’s groundbreaking achievements. Thus, Wheatley's publication is a landmark event in both African American history and American literature, affirming her place as a foundational figure within the literary canon.