Phillis Wheatley sails from Boston for London

The trip is financed by the Wheatley family and she is accompanied by their son. In London the poet is introduced to a number of literary figures and has her first book of poems is published there in 1773.* Upon her return to Boston that year, she is freed by the Wheatley family, possibly “at the behest of her supporters in England,” but perhaps because a British law at the time which frees all enslaved persons who visit England. Phillis continues to live with the family for the time being.