The trials of Phillis Wheatley / Gates, Henry Louis

A biographical sketch of African American poet Phillis Wheatley. In support of the Common Core Learning Standards. (CCLS).

Explores the roles of Phillis Wheatley and Thomas Jefferson in shaping African-American literary tradition, discussing how Phillis gained acceptance and freedom by being the first person of African descent to publish a book of poems in the English language in 1773. Discusses the effects of Jefferson's harsh criticism of the poet and her race.