Anne Bradstreet
1612 - 16 September 1672
Anne Bradstreet was the first published poet in the British North American colonies. Born in England, she emigrated to Massachusetts with her family in 1630. Her first book of poetry, "The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America," was published in London in 1650 without her knowledge. The book was well-received in both America and England, and was followed by several other books of poetry. Bradstreet's work reflects the Puritan religious beliefs and the everyday life of the colonial period. Her poems often dealt with themes of faith, family, and the natural world. Bradstreet's work is considered the first example of American poetry and her legacy continues to be celebrated as an important figure in early American literature.