Benjamin Banneker

The More You Know

Benjamin Banneker was a mathematician, astronomer, compiler of almanacs, inventor, and writer, one of the first important African American intellectuals who was a freeman, and was raised on a farm near Baltimore that he would eventually inherit from his father.

On November 9, 1731, Benjamin Banneker was born in Baltimore County, Maryland. He was the son of an African slave named Robert, who had bought his own freedom, and of Mary Banneky, who was the daughter of an Englishwoman and a free African slave. Benjamin grew up on his father's farm with three sisters. After learning to read from his mother and grandmother, Benjamin read the bible to his family in the evening. He attended a nearby Quaker country school for several seasons, but this was the extent of his formal education. He later taught himself literature, history, and mathematics, and he enjoyed reading.
As he grew into an adult, Banneker inherited the farm left to him by his grandparents. He expanded the already successful farm, where he grew tobacco. In 1761, at the age of thirty, Banneker constructed a striking wooden clock without having ever seen a clock before (although he had examined a pocket watch). He painstakingly carved the toothed wheels and gears of the clock out of seasoned wood. The clock operated successfully until the time of his death.

Banneker Constructs A striking clock image

His early accomplishments included constructing an irrigation system for the family farm and a wooden clock that was reputed to keep accurate time and ran for more than 50 years until his death. In addition, Banneker taught himself astronomy and accurately forecasted lunar and solar eclipses.

In 1789, Banneker began making astronomical calculations that enabled him to successfully forecast a solar eclipse. His estimate, made well in advance of the celestial event, contradicted predictions of better-known mathematicians and astronomers.

Banneker died in October 9, 1806 in Baltimore County, Maryland and was buried in the family burial ground near his house. Among the memorabilia preserved from his life were his commonplace book and the manuscript journal in which he had entered astronomical calculations and personal notations. Writers who described his achievements as that of the first African American scientist have kept Banneker's memory alive.

- "The colour of the skin is in no way connected with strength of the mind or intellectual powers."

- "Presumption should never make us neglect that which appears easy to us, nor despair make us lose courage at the sight of difficulties."

- "Evil communication corrupts good manners. I hope to live to hear that good communication corrects bad manners."

Astronomer

Benjamin Banneker was a self-taught astronomer. As Benjamin grew older, he began to take interest in the stars. He read books on astronomy and used math to calculate the movement of the stars. He even accurately predicted an eclipse of the sun.

The Almanac

Banneker's true acclaim, however, came from his almanacs, which he published for six consecutive years during the later years of his life, between 1792 and 1797.

Slavery

As an essayist and pamphleteer, Banneker opposed slavery and advocated civil rights.

Thomas Jefferson & Slavery

Benjamin hoped to see an end to slavery. He sent letters to Thomas Jefferson asking him to consider that all men were created equal, regardless of race.

Where I Got My Information From

Links to Pictures & Video:

Benjamin Banneker Picture (1st Slide)

Biography.com. (2014, April 2). Benjamin Banneker was a largely self-educated mathematician, astronomer, compiler of almanacs and writer [Picture File] . Retrieved from https://www.biography.com/.image/ar_1:1%2Cc_fill%2Ccs_srgb%2Cg_face%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_300/MTMyNDI1NDE4MDE0NzU4MTYy/benjamin-bannekerjpg.jpg. Accessed (March 5, 2020).

All Other Pictures: Static, n.d. Retrieved from https://static.s123-cdn-static-c.com/ready_uploads/media/ with different codes. Accessed (March 4, 2020)

Video

Educational Videos for Students (Cartoons on Bullying, Leadership & More). (2019, Feb.19). Black History Month Facts for Students: Who is Benjamin Banneker? Top 10 Fun Facts for Students [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pS0K0bE2Hes. Accessed (March 5, 2020).

Links to More Informaton:

1st Slide: The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. Last Updated (2020, Jan. 23). Benjamin Banneker (American Scientist). Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Benjamin-Banneker. Accessed (March 3, 2020).

2nd Slide: Encyclopedia of World Biography. n.d. Retrieved from https://www.notablebiographies.com/Ba-Be/Banneker-Benjamin.html#ixzz6FjJihREY. Accessed (March 4, 2020).

3rd Slide: Biography. (2014, April 2). Benjamin Banneker Biography (1731-1806). Retrieved from https://www.biography.com/scientist/benjamin-banneker. Accessed (March 2, 2020).

4th Slide: Library of Congress (or Today in History). (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.loc.gov/item/today-in-history/november-09/. Accessed (March 2, 2020).

5th Slide: The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. Last Updated (2020, Jan. 23). Benjamin Banneker (American Scientist). Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Benjamin-Banneker. Accessed (March 3, 2020).

6th Slide: Successories. n.d. 4 Benjamin Banneker Quotes. Retrieved from https://www.successories.com/iquote/author/15286/benjamin-banneker-quotes/1. Accessed (March 4, 2020).

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

8246709@philasd.org

Benjamin Banneker

Who is benjamin Banneker?

Early Life

Banneker Constructs A striking clock

Banneker Solar Eclipse prediction

Gone but not forgotten

Banneker Quotes

Video about benjamin banneker

Articles about benjamin banneker

Astronomer

The Almanac

Slavery

Thomas Jefferson & Slavery

Resources

Contact