The Trials of Phillis Wheatley: America's First Black Poet and Her Encounters with the Founding Fathers

The Trials of Phillis Wheatley is a groundbreaking book that explores the pivotal role played by Wheatley, the first published African American poet, in shaping the black literary tradition.

Written with lyricism and critical skill by Henry Louis Gates Jr., this book brings to life the characters, debates, and controversy surrounding Wheatley in her day and ours.

Through a comprehensive examination of Wheatley's work and its historical context, Gates uncovers the extraordinary body of literature built by generations of black writers in response to Thomas Jefferson's repudiation of her gifts as a writer.

This book is a must-read for anyone interested in African American history, literature, and culture.