- 1753: Born in West Africa.
- 1761: Kidnapped and transported across the Atlantic to North America. Sold into slavery to the Wheatley family in Boston.
- 1762: Begins to learn to read and write from the Wheatley family.
- 1765: First published poem appears in the Newport Mercury.
- 1773: Publishes her first book of poetry, "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral."
- 1775: Travels to England with the Wheatley family. Meets prominent abolitionists and is lionized by British society.
- 1776: Returns to Boston and continues to write poetry.
- 1778: Marries John Peters, a free Black man.
- 1779: Loses her mother, brother, and husband to smallpox.
- 1784: Publishes her second book of poetry, "Poems on Various Subjects."
- 1790: Dies in poverty in Boston at age 37.