Early African American Poem A Hymn to the Evening Acrylic Print

This wall print has a poem by Phillis Wheatley (c. 1753 - 1784) titled A Hymn to the Evening. The poem describes a speaker's desire to take on the glow of evening so that she may show her love for God. Phillis was born in Africa, sold into slavery at the age of seven or eight and was enslaved by the Wheatley family of Boston. Unlike most slaves, she received an education and the family supported her interest in writing. She was the first African American to publish a book (in London), and figures like George Washington praised her work. Phillis was emancipated by the Wheatleys shortly after the publication of her book. She married a poor grocer, lost three children and died in poverty and obscurity at the age of 31.