Phillis Wheatley books in order
First African-American poet
- Lived
- 1753–1784
- Country
- United States
- Books
- 2
Phillis Wheatley published 2 poetry collections, beginning with Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral (1783).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Phillis Wheatley
Poetry in order
Memoir and Poems of Phillis Wheatley (1838)
About Phillis Wheatley
Phillis Wheatley Peters, also spelled Phyllis and Wheatly, was an American writer who is considered the first African-American author of a published book of poetry. Born in West Africa, she was sold into slavery at the age of seven or eight and transported to North America, where she was bought by the Wheatley family of Boston. After she learned to read and write, they encouraged her poetry when they saw her talent.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Phillis Wheatley FAQ
- How many books has Phillis Wheatley written?
- Phillis Wheatley published 2 poetry collections that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Phillis Wheatley's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral.
- What is Phillis Wheatley's last book?
- Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral (1783).
- What is Phillis Wheatley's most famous book?
- Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral (1783) is Phillis Wheatley's most widely read book.
- Can I read Phillis Wheatley's books for free?
- Yes. 1 book by Phillis Wheatley is in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.
Authors like Phillis Wheatley
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.