Phillis Wheatley was one of those poets that shook up a nation. See her poems here:
http://www.poemhunter.com/phillis-wheatley/poems/
How did she shake up a nation? Well, she was an African slave when America was young, and they thought that a mere slave couldn't write with that talent. So there was actually a hearing so they could see whether she was the original creator of her poetry.
Interesting stuff, actually.
Anyway, check it out.
