Benjamin Banneker
A self-taught African American mathematician and astronomer in the 18th century, he published acclaimed almanacs and boldly challenged Thomas Jefferson on slavery.
1731–1806 (age 75)·American scientist, surveyor and farmer·Birthday: November 9
Biography
Benjamin Banneker was an autodidact of staggering intellect who defied the brutal constraints of his time. A free Black man in 18th-century Maryland, he taught himself advanced mathematics and astronomy using borrowed books. His genius found its most public expression in a series of meticulously calculated almanacs, which featured astronomical data, tide tables, and literary content, proving to a skeptical white establishment that a Black mind was capable of high scientific achievement. His expertise earned him a pivotal role in surveying the boundaries of the new federal capital, Washington, D.C. Banneker's courage extended beyond science; in 1791, he sent a handwritten copy of his almanac to Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, accompanying it with a powerful letter that used the Declaration of Independence's own principles to argue against the hypocrisy of slavery. He lived as a testament to the power of self-education and moral conviction.
#1 When Benjamin Was Born
The biggest hits of 1731
Benjamin's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1731Born
1736Started school
1744Became a teenager
1747Could drive
1749Could vote
1752Turned 21
1761Turned 30
1771Turned 40
1781Turned 50
1791Turned 60
1801Turned 70
1806Died at 75
Key Achievements
- Published a widely-read series of six annual farmers' almanacs between 1792 and 1797, containing his own astronomical calculations.
- Assisted Major Andrew Ellicott in the initial survey of the federal district that would become Washington, D.C.
- Constructed a fully functioning wooden clock entirely by hand at the age of 22, which kept accurate time for over 40 years.
- Authored a profound 1791 letter to Thomas Jefferson critiquing the institution of slavery and advocating for racial equality.
Did You Know?
He accurately predicted a solar eclipse in 1789, contradicting the forecasts of leading astronomers of the time.
Banneker's farm in Oella, Maryland, where he lived his entire life, is now a museum and historical site.
He never married and lived a largely solitary life on his tobacco farm, dedicating his time to study and calculation.
Despite his fame, no known portraits of Banneker drawn from life exist; all subsequent images are interpretations.
“The colour of the skin is in no way connected with strength of the mind or intellectual powers.”
