Jupiter Hammon, an enslaved man on Long Island, publishes 'An Evening Thought,' the first poem published by a Black author in America.
At a Glance
- Date
- 25 December 1760
- Location
- Long Island, New York
- Key people
- Jupiter Hammon
- Category
- Arts & Literature
- Source
- An Evening Thought (1760) · Library of Congress
What It Meant Then
His verse predated Phillis Wheatley's celebrated volume by more than a decade.
What It Means Now
Hammon is recognized as the first published African American writer.
Cite this page
- MLA
- “Jupiter Hammon Becomes the First Published Black Poet.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/jupiter-hammon-becomes-the-first-published-black-poet/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). Jupiter Hammon Becomes the First Published Black Poet. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/jupiter-hammon-becomes-the-first-published-black-poet/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “Jupiter Hammon Becomes the First Published Black Poet.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/jupiter-hammon-becomes-the-first-published-black-poet/.
Editorial Note
By the Black-History.com editors. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. To suggest a primary source or a correction, write to editors@black-history.com or use our corrections form.