Benjamin Banneker

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Banneker was born in Maryland on November 9, 1731.

He was the son of Robert and Mary Bannaky.

Banneker grew up on a tobacco farm. He was born a free man during the times

when most African Americans were utilized as slaves.

He was the first ever surveyor of the Federal District (Washington D.C.).

Background Information

He learned important skills in life such as how to read and write from his grandmother, Molly Welsh.

He mostly learned from a bible book his grandmother used.

As a child, Banneker attended the Quaker School, which provided him with many opportunities.

Banneker taught himself advanced mathematics and astronomy from the books that were lent by the Ellicott brothers.

Education

Childhood As a child, Banneker and a neighboring

friend, George Ellicott, both shared an interest in science.

While he was attending the Quaker school for boys, he learned how to write and do simple arithmetic.

At the age of fifth-teen, he obtained an eighth grade education.

August 19, 1791, Benjamin Banneker wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson pleading for justice for African American slaves and racial equality before the law.

In his letter, he quoted words from the Declaration of Independence and he also sent Jefferson a letter of his almanacs to show proof that African Americans were truly intellectual.

Letter to Thomas Jefferson

Almanacs

Benjamin Banneker

At twenty-two years old, Banneker invented the wooden chiming clock for keeping time.

He was intrigued with astronomy because of George Ellicott and he

completed the astronomical calculation in 1790 for the almanac.

Banneker’s almanacs and his intelligence proved to the citizens popular belief that “African Americans were inferior in intellect.”

Achievements/Contributions

Wooden Clock Invention

Banneker used the essence of a pocket watch he examined to build

his own wooden clock in 1761.

Banneker made predictions for Solar and lunar eclipses .

Even though he was unable to sell his observations, he was still determine to continue his studies.

He was referred as “the first Negro Man of Science” during his times.

He was Americas first African American inventor.

Importance of Banneker

Banneker did a mathematical study on the cycle of the seventeen-year locust.

He calculated a mathematical formula that forecasted the solar eclipse on April 14, 1789.

Mathematician Extraordinaire

Solar Eclipse

At the age of fifty-eight, he became interested in astronomy because of George Ellicott.

Between the years 1792 and 1797, Benjamin Banneker calculated ephemerides (tables of locations of stars and planets). He then published six almanacs in twenty-eight editions.

Astounding Astronomer

Important Dates In His Life 1731-Birth Date 1737-Learns to read and

write 1752-Makes a wooden

clock 1789-Only scientist to

predict a solar eclipse on this date

1791-Joins a surveying team

1797-Last almanac published

1806-Day he died

Banneker was known as the “Sable Astronomer”.

In 1980, the U.S. Postal Service supplied a postage stamp in his honor and great accomplishments.

Banneker’s home was burn on the day of his burial.

The school master of the Quaker School he attended as a child changed his last name from Bannaky to Banneker.

Fun Facts

Banneker learned to predict the weather through careful observations.

He was remembered as the first African American who received a presidential appointment.

His almanac was sponsored by the Pennsylvania Society for the Abolition of Slavery.

Banneker studied astronomy until his death in October 1806.

Fun Facts (Cont.)

Banneker made an incredible contribution to our society with his great mind and hard work. Without him, we wouldn’t have almanacs today. He made a huge impact to the African Americans during his time, exhibiting to everyone that blacks are indeed superior and intellect.

Remembering Banneker

Pictures of Benjamin Banneker

Benjamin Banneker inspired many people during his time. Here shows Banneker with his studies.

Click icon to add picture

Benjamin Banneker

Banneker’s Monuments

Banneker’s memorial statue.

A picture of Banneker’s burial site.

Spangenburg, Ray, and Kit Moser. "Banneker, Benjamin." African Americans in Science, Math, and Invention, A to Z of African Americans. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2003. African-American History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE01&iPin=AASM0005&SingleRecord=True (accessed February 13, 2012).

Petty, J.B. "Benjamin Banneker." Booklist 1 Feb. 2010: 56. Gale Power Search. Web. 15 Feb. 2012.

"Mathematician and Astronomer Benjamin Banneker Was Born."America's Story from America's Library. Library of Congress, n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2012. <http://http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/colonial/jb_colonial_banneker_3.html

Bibliography

" Benjamin Banneker - Black History Biographies | The Black Heritage Commemorative Society." Black History Biographies | The Black Heritage Commemorative Society » Black History Biographies from the Black Heritage Commemorative Society. Black Heritage Commemorative Society, n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2012. <http://blackhistorynow.com/benjamin-banneker/>.

Greene, Nick. "Benjamin Banneker Biography - First African American Astronomer." Space & Astronomy at About.com. The New York Times Company, n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2012.

<http://http://space.about.com/od/astronomerbiographies/a/bannekerbio.html

Bibliography (Cont.)