In the landscape of early American poetry, a few names stand out as beacons of influence and prominence. Among them, Anne Bradstreet and Phillis Wheatley are often celebrated. Yet, nestled quietly among the pages of early American literature is Susanna Wright, an 18th Century American poet whose contributions to American poetry reflect both intellectual depth and a unique feminine perspective of her time. Despite the modest volume of her surviving work, Wright deserves a rightful place in the canon of early American poets.
This article explores the life, work, and influence of Susanna Wright, positioning her within the broader context of 18th Century American poetry. It will also compare her contributions with those of her contemporaries, such as Bradstreet and Wheatley, to underscore her distinctive voice and enduring value.
Susanna Wright
Susanna Wright was born in 1697 in England. She emigrated to the American colonies with her family, eventually settling in Pennsylvania. Unlike many women of her time, Wright received a robust education. Her father, John Wright, was a Quaker and a man of letters, and he ensured that his daughter had access to classical education. This foundation would prove pivotal in shaping her literary pursuits and intellectual disposition.
Wright grew up in a world of Enlightenment ideals. She was fluent in several languages, including Latin and French, and well-versed in classical literature and contemporary scientific thought. This intellectual breadth was rare among 18th Century American poets, especially women, and it set the tone for her future as a writer.
Wright and the Enlightenment
The 18th century was a time of great philosophical and scientific change. Enlightenment ideas about reason, nature, and the rights of the individual were sweeping across Europe and finding fertile ground in the American colonies. Susanna Wright absorbed and reflected these ideas in her poetry and personal correspondence.
Unlike many of her contemporaries who wrote explicitly religious or sentimental poetry, Wright was deeply influenced by Enlightenment rationalism. Her poems often explored themes of nature, scientific observation, and philosophical reflection. This intellectualism aligned her more closely with male poets of her time, such as Philip Freneau, than with other female poets.
Poetic Themes and Style
Wright’s poetry is characterized by its meditative tone and philosophical depth. Her verses often dwell on nature, not as mere scenery, but as a symbol of divine order and human inquiry. She viewed the natural world as a site of learning, a mirror to human virtue and vice.
Her style is restrained and precise, avoiding the overwrought sentimentality that marked much of the poetry of her era. Instead, Wright employed classical forms and allusions, reflecting her deep education. Her diction is clear, and her syntax simple, yet the ideas she conveys are complex and layered.
A notable example is her poem “To Eliza Norris—at Fairhill,” in which she writes about female friendship and intellectual companionship. This poem showcases her ability to merge personal affection with philosophical thought. It also highlights a significant aspect of her identity: her role in creating a network of learned women in colonial America.
A Quaker Woman in the Colonies
As a Quaker, Wright’s religious background shaped her worldview. Quakerism emphasized inner light, personal conscience, and equality—all themes that surface subtly in her poetry. The Quaker commitment to education, even for women, helped her pursue intellectual interests that were denied to many of her contemporaries.
Moreover, Wright was not only a poet but also a respected herbalist, farmer, and advocate for abolition. These roles enriched her poetry and gave her writing a grounded, practical sensibility. Her poems often show a mind that is both philosophical and pragmatic, contemplative and active.
Comparison with Anne Bradstreet
Anne Bradstreet (1612–1672) is often hailed as the first significant American poet. Her poetry is deeply rooted in Puritan theology and family life. While Bradstreet preceded Wright by several decades, a comparison between the two offers insight into the evolving role of women in American poetry.
Bradstreet’s poetry, such as “To My Dear and Loving Husband,” often dealt with domestic themes and personal devotion. Her work is emotionally rich and grounded in the religious fervor of the early colonial period. Wright, by contrast, writes with the cool rationalism of the Enlightenment. Her subjects are broader—ranging from natural philosophy to friendship—and her tone is more reflective than confessional.
In essence, Bradstreet’s poetry mirrors the early colonial struggle for spiritual meaning, while Wright’s reflects a maturing intellectual culture. This shift marks an important development in American poetry—from theological introspection to philosophical exploration.
Comparison with Phillis Wheatley
Phillis Wheatley (c. 1753–1784), another important 18th Century American poet, offers a different but equally illuminating comparison. Born in West Africa and enslaved in Boston, Wheatley was educated by her owners and became the first African American woman to publish a book of poetry.
Wheatley’s poems, such as “On Being Brought from Africa to America,” often grapple with themes of race, religion, and identity. Her work is polished, deeply Christian, and filled with classical allusions. Like Wright, she was a woman of learning, but her context was radically different. Wheatley wrote as an enslaved person seeking to assert her humanity and intellect.
Both poets represent marginalized voices in early American literature—Wright as a woman in a male-dominated literary world, and Wheatley as a Black poet in a white-dominated society. Both used their limited platforms to articulate nuanced views on nature, morality, and human dignity.
Literary Legacy and Influence
Susanna Wright’s poetry did not achieve widespread publication during her lifetime. Most of her work was circulated among friends or preserved in personal correspondence. This limited distribution has contributed to her relative obscurity in the canon of American literature.
However, Wright was highly regarded by her contemporaries. Benjamin Franklin, for instance, praised her intellect and character. She was part of a vibrant intellectual circle in Pennsylvania that included men and women of letters, scientists, and reformers.
In recent years, scholars of early American poetry have begun to re-evaluate Wright’s contributions. Her work is now seen as an essential link between the devotional poetry of the 17th century and the more secular, intellectual poetry that would emerge in the 19th century.
The Role of Women in 18th Century American Poetry
Wright’s life and work highlight the challenges and possibilities for women writers in 18th Century America. Education for women was limited, publication opportunities were scarce, and societal expectations often confined women to domestic roles. Yet, poets like Wright carved out intellectual spaces where they could write, think, and influence others.
In many ways, Wright exemplifies the ideal of the “Republican Mother”—an educated woman who contributes to the moral and intellectual development of the new nation. But she goes beyond this ideal by engaging directly with the philosophical and scientific debates of her time.
Her poetry and letters stand as testimony to the fact that early American poetry was not solely the domain of men. Women, too, were active participants in shaping the nation’s literary and intellectual culture.
Preserving and Studying Her Work
One of the challenges in assessing Wright’s full literary contribution is the scarcity of her published work. Much of what we know about her poetry comes from manuscripts, personal letters, and testimonials from contemporaries.
Modern scholars have begun to compile and analyze her extant writings. These efforts are crucial, not only for recovering a lost voice but for understanding the full scope of 18th Century American poetry. Wright’s work offers a rare glimpse into the mind of an Enlightenment woman in colonial America.
Her poems deserve to be studied alongside those of her better-known contemporaries. They enrich our understanding of the period’s intellectual diversity and challenge us to broaden our definition of American poetry.
Conclusion: Susanna Wright’s Place in American Literary History
Susanna Wright may not be a household name, but her contributions to 18th Century American poetry are both substantial and unique. As an American poet, she brought the Enlightenment into dialogue with the American wilderness, combining classical learning with a deep love of nature and justice.
She was a woman of intellect, spirit, and resolve, who found in poetry a means of expression, reflection, and connection. Her verses may be few, but they are rich with insight and philosophical beauty. They remind us that American poetry has always been shaped by diverse voices, often hidden in the margins.
In honoring Susanna Wright, we reclaim a vital chapter in the story of American literature—a chapter that speaks to the power of education, the courage of conviction, and the enduring beauty of thoughtful verse.
Wright deserves her place among the early architects of American poetic tradition. Through her, we see that the roots of American poetry are deeper and more inclusive than often acknowledged, reaching into the minds and hearts of women who dared to write, think, and dream.
