Phillis Wheatley, the first African American, the first U.S slave, and the third woman to publish a book of poems during a time where women and slaves were property. I wonder why I have never heard, seen, or taught about this person. Uncle Tom’s cabin was mentioned a million times, so why not her? Is Wheatley surreptitious? After perusing, it became apparent that her life was an anomaly. Kidnapped at a young age, she was sold as a slave to the Wheatley family. Unlike most slaves, she was taught how to read and write. She was immersed in history, literature, astronomy, the bible, and more. Although she was not excused from her duties, life as a slave can be aristocratic in comparison to most slaves. This knowledge causes her works to be dismissed,