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There is a revival of interest in Mary Rowlandson's "Sovereignty and Goodness of God: Being a Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson"
Following the publication of a new edition of Mary Rowlandson's captivity narrative, a seminal work in the genre, there was a revival of interest in her work. Although it previously hadn't been reprinted since 1720, the book went through several new editions in the 1770s. Originally published in 1682, it tells of Rowlandson's experience being held by Native Americans for eleven weeks following King Philip's War and reflects a dark, doctrinal Puritan view of the wilderness and Native Americans. -
Phillis Wheatley, first African-American to publish a book of poetry, achieves wide recognition for her elegy for George Whitefield.
Wheatley's elegy for the Anglican preacher who helped spread the Great Awakening to the American colonies was reprinted in six editions in New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and London within a few months. Despite her success with her elegy, she was unable to find a publisher for her book of poems "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral" until after her owner was able to convince a British publisher that she did indeed write the poems herself. (Source) -
Philip Freneau, "Poet of the American Revolution" publishes pro-independence works of poetry.
Some of Freneau's most famous poems include "The Rising Glory of America," "The Wild Honey-Suckle," and "The Indian Burying Ground." He composed many patriotic and anti-British writings, including "The British Prison Ship" which was based on his six-week imprisonment after being captured while working as the captain of a privateer. He was born in New York City but lived in Monmouth County, NJ for most of his life. -
Samson Occom becomes first Native American to publish in America.
Born to Mohegan parents in New London, CT, Samson Occom became a prominent preacher, educator, and organizer for Native communities. He learned English and converted to Christianity in a missionary school. His 1772 publication "A Sermon Preached at the Execution of Moses Paul, an Indian," attributes the murder of a white man by a Native American to the hostility bred by racial inequality and the evils of alcohol. In 1774 he published "A Choice Collection of Hymns and Spirituual Songs." -
Publication of "McFingal: A Modern Epic Poem or The Town-Meeting" by John Trumbull
Connecticut-born poet John Trumbull publishes this mock epic poem, establishing himself as one of the leading political satirists of the Revolutionary period. The protagonist is Scottish Loyalist McFingal, and his opponent a Whig named Honorius, supposedly representing John Adams. The first edition was published in 1775 by Philadelphia publishers William and Thomas Bradford at the London Coffee House. (Source) -
Publication of "Common Sense" by Thomas Paine.
Throughout his life Paine was an incendiary writer and a champion of radical politics. In this seminal pamphlet, Paine argued against monarchy and urged the American people to break free of its arbitrary and tyrannical rule. It was an immediate best-seller, outstripping even the Bible in its debut year, and became a rallying cry for the patriotic cause. It was printed by Robert Bell in Philadelphia, PA. -
Washington Irving is born.
Author of "The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent." which included now-classic short stories "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkel" in born in Manhattan to a Scottish-English family of merchants. His brother William would become a member of the NYSL. -
Publication of "The American Magazine and Historical Chronicle" begins.
Though this periodical lasted only twelve monthly issues, it was highly influential as editor and NYSL member Noah Webster argued for Federalist ideas and sought to facilitate dialogue around a range of political, social, and cultural issues. This magazine was also printed by NYSL shareholder Samuel Loudon, whose shop was located at 5 Water Street. (Source) -
Copyright Act of 1790.
Congress passes the first federal copyright act. Its stated purpose is "the encouragement of learning," and it establishes copyright protection for authors who are American citizens or residents for a 14-year, once-renewable term. (Source)