I saw three ships go sailing by: the life of Phillis Wheatley in three maritime journeys

In 1773, Phillis Wheatley became the first person of African descent to publish a book of poetry in English. 

In this talk, writer and academic Ade Solanke will explore how Phillis Wheatley's life was shaped through the connection to three vessels: 

• The Phillis
• The London Packet
• and The Dartmouth. 

The teenage prodigy was kidnapped from West Africa and trafficked to Boston on the first, taken to London to publish her book on the second, and landed at the centre of imperial politics when her books were trapped on the third. 

How did these journeys shape Phillis' life and the course of world history?

About the speaker: Ade Solanke

Ade Solanke is an award-winning British-Nigerian playwright and screenwriter. Her acclaimed work includes Pandora's Box which won a nomination for Best New Play in the Off West End Theatre Awards, and The Court Must Have a Queen, which premiered at Hampton Court Palace. 

Her play Phillis in London has been performed in the UK, the USA, Barbados, Gambia and Ghana. 

Ade has written for major publications including The Guardian and The New Statesman and BBC Radio 4. She has held fellowships with Hawthornden, the Royal Literary Fund, and she is a Double Fulbrighter, with an MFA in Cinematic Arts from USC Film School in Los Angeles. She has a BA Hons in English Literature from Sheffield University. She lectures internationally on creative writing and storytelling.