In 1854, Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, a free Black woman and prolific writer, published 'Poems on Miscellaneous Subjects,' a collection that addressed slavery, racism, and the struggles of African American women. Harper, who was born free in Baltimore, became one of the most popular African American poets of the 19th century, and her work was widely read and anthologized. Her poetry combined sentimentalism with sharp political critique, and she used her platform to advocate for abolition, women's rights, and education. Harper's literary career spanned the Civil War and Reconstruction, making her a vital voice in American letters.

Harper is considered one of the greatest African American poets of the 19th century, and her work influenced later generations of Black women writers, including Paul Laurence Dunbar and Alice Dunbar-Nelson. Her poems, such as 'Bury Me in a Free Land' and 'The Slave Auction,' remain anthologized and are studied for their formal skill and social commentary. Harper's legacy has been reclaimed by feminist literary critics, who recognize her as a pioneer of both African American and American poetry.