This paper discusses the life and poetry of Jupiter Hammon, born a slave, sometime around 1720 and who was owned by the Lloyd
family who lived on Long Island, New York. It examines how he learned to read and write, wrote several poems which later, after his death, were complied into books of poetry that are still in print today. It reviews some of his works and how he wrote not only about
religion, but also about
slavery and his feeling that all slaves should be freed from bondage. In his works, he was also the first black author to encourage other African-Americans to create their own nation and take their lives into their own hands. While at first his life seems to be a paradox, Hammon turned his life into a plea for freedom, peace and religious salvation. He died some time around 1800, and his burial place is unknown.