18th Century American Women Poets: Trailblazers in Verse

In the 18th century, a chorus of bold and brilliant American women poets began to shape the literary identity of a new nation. Writing from the margins of political power and cultural recognition, these women used poetry to express their inner lives, critique societal norms, and imagine more equitable futures. Though long overshadowed by their male contemporaries, their voices remain powerful and deeply relevant today.

A New Voice in Early America

Emerging in a time of revolution, religious fervor, and intellectual ferment, 18th-century American women poets broke new ground. In a literary landscape dominated by men, they carved out space for distinctly female perspectives. Their poetry explored grief, love, motherhood, slavery, patriotism, and moral philosophy.

Women’s access to publication was limited, yet literary salons, reading societies, and sympathetic editors offered some women rare platforms. Many wrote in private, others bravely submitted their work to newspapers and journals, sometimes under male pseudonyms.

Notable 18th Century Women Poets

Phillis Wheatley (c. 1753–1784)

Enslaved as a child and brought to Boston, Phillis Wheatley became the first African American woman to publish a book of poetry: Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral (1773). Her work blended neoclassical form with Christian theology and reflections on liberty.

“Remember, Christians, Negroes, black as Cain, / May be refin’d, and join th’ angelic train.”

Ann Eliza Bleecker (1752–1783)

A poet and novelist of the Revolutionary era, Bleecker is known for her vivid depictions of personal tragedy and national turmoil. After fleeing British troops, she lost both her infant daughter and mother—grief she poured into her poetry.

“Come, my children, round me gather, / Ere I sink to rest forever…”

Annis Boudinot Stockton (1736–1801)

A prolific poet and patriot, Stockton corresponded with George Washington and was praised for her literary contributions. She was the first woman to be named an honorary member of the American Whig Society.

“To fame immortal, Washington ascend: / His country’s father, and the patriot’s friend.”

Hannah Griffitts (1727–1817)

A Quaker poet from Philadelphia, Griffitts wrote satirical and political poetry, often criticizing British rule and supporting colonial resistance. Her verse circulated widely among female networks.

“Since the men from a party, on fear of a frown, / Are shaping a way to the King’s golden crown…”

Jane Colman Turell (1708–1735)

Influenced by Anne Bradstreet, Turell wrote devotional and moralistic poetry. Her work, published posthumously by her father, reflects early American Puritanism.

“How vain are all things here below! / How false, and yet how fair!”

Themes in 18th Century Women’s Poetry

Women poets of this era addressed a wide range of themes:

• Religion and Morality: Reflecting Puritan and Enlightenment influences, many poems meditated on sin, virtue, and divine grace.

• Grief and Loss: Personal tragedies were common subjects, especially during the Revolutionary War.

• Slavery and Race: Phillis Wheatley subtly critiqued slavery while affirming her Christian faith and intellect.

• Patriotism and Politics: Poets like Stockton and Griffitts supported the Revolution and commented on governance.

• Nature and Sentiment: Bucolic landscapes often served as metaphors for spiritual reflection or emotional states.

Literary Circles and Influence

Women were often excluded from formal literary institutions, but they formed robust alternative networks. Literary salons hosted by influential women allowed poets to share work and receive feedback. Reading societies, especially among Quakers and other religious communities, supported intellectual exchange.

Periodicals like The American Magazine and The New York Packet sometimes published women’s poetry, offering rare visibility. Support from male editors or husbands was often essential to publication.

Challenges and Limitations

Despite their talent, women poets faced significant obstacles: limited education, social constraints, and skepticism from critics. Many used male pseudonyms to gain credibility or avoid scandal. Their work was often dismissed as derivative or sentimental—a label that obscured its radical insights and stylistic sophistication.

Legacy and Feminist Rediscovery

The late 20th century brought renewed attention to these poets, especially through feminist literary scholarship. Scholars began to uncover lost manuscripts, republish forgotten works, and reevaluate their cultural significance.

Today, these women are recognized not only as early American writers but as innovators who helped shape American identity. Their poetry resonates with themes of resilience, justice, and the complexity of the female experience.

Conclusion: Poetry as Resistance and Remembrance

18th-century American women poets used verse to claim intellectual space and preserve lived experience. Their legacy is not just literary but cultural and political. In reading their words, we witness the dawn of American women’s literary agency and gain insight into a nation struggling to define itself.

Their voices, once nearly silenced, now speak across centuries. Let us listen, learn, and honor their words.

Further Reading

• Phillis Wheatley: Complete Writings (Penguin Classics)

• Early American Women Poets: An Anthology (Oxford University Press)

• American Women Poets of the Eighteenth Century edited by Paula R. Feldman