What was Margaretta Matilda O'dell's motives when writing Phillis wheatley's biography?

Answer 1

Hi, Alayna! Great question! Margaretta Matilda O'Dell published her book, Memoir and Poems of Phillis Wheatley, in 1834. Mrs. O'Dell, a white woman who was believed to be a relative of Phillis's mistress and master, lived in Massachusetts. Mrs. O'Dell was an ardent abolitionist who had a deep appreciation for Mrs. Wheatley's life and for her work, particularly her poetry. Half a century after Mrs. Wheatley's death, Mrs. O'Dell published her memoir, which details Mrs. Wheatley's life, beginning with her enslavement in Africa, her transportation across the Middle Passages and her purchase by the Wheatleys. The introduction to the story explains that Mrs. O'Dell hoped to shed light on the life, accomplishments and experiences of this talented African American woman, to oppose slavery and to inspire people who were experiencing hardships, but hoped for a better future, as Mrs. Wheatley did. I hope this helps some. You can read the memoir here https://docsouth.unc.edu/neh/wheatley/wheatley.html.