National beginnings of American literature

Anne Bradstreet

• Born and educated in England, Anne Bradstreet both admired and imitated several English poets. The influence of these English poets did not diminish when Mrs. Bradstreet, at age eighteen, came to America in 1630. The environment in which she wrote, however, did not remain constant; a developed nation was exchanged for a relative wilderness

Michael Wigglesworth

• Another important colonial poet, achieved wide popularity among his contemporaries with his gloomy poem entitled "The Day of Doom." First published in 1662, "The Day of Doom" is a description of the day of judgment. It tells of the day when God will decide the fate of man. Most people will be sent to Hell; a few lucky ones will be chosen to go to Heaven.