Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806) was a naturalist, mathematician, astronomer, and almanac author. He was born in the slave state of Maryland. Banneker was a dignified, generous scientist who expressed great character and intellect. He was never married. He was a gifted, self-taught mathematician, astronomer, and farmer who studied Isaac Newton’s work and was a close observer of everything.
Banneker’s maternal grandmother, Molly Welsh, was a white woman of English birth who was sent to America as an indentured servant. She was accused of stealing a pail of milk. Molly was sold upon her arrival to a tobacco farmer. After her seven years of servitude, she acquired 100 acres of the farm she worked on and later married her freed African-born enslaved man, Banneka. Molly and Banneka changed their name to Banneker and had four daughters, one named Mary, who would become Benjamin’s mother. At this time in Maryland, there were strict laws in Maryland against interracial marriages. There were 256 white women prosecuted in Maryland for marrying Black men during the colonial period.
Molly’s daughter, Mary, fell in love with a slave named Robert. Mary’s parents bought Robert’s freedom so they could marry. Robert took Mary’s surname, Banneker, as his own. Benjamin was born in 1731 and was followed by three sisters: Jemina, Minta, and Molly.
Benjamin’s first teacher was his grandmother, Mary Welsh, who taught him to read the Bible. Later, he was taught by a Quaker teacher for eight years, and that was the only formal education he had. However, his thirst for knowledge was insatiable, and he became a self-taught expert in science and math, a testament to his intellectual prowess and determination.
At the young age of 22, Banneker’s talent was already evident. He borrowed a pocket watch, disassembled it, studied its components, and created a comprehensive, precise clock entirely made from indigenous wood using a pocketknife. This clock, a testament to his early talent and dedication, continued to work for an impressive 40 years, striking the hours of six and twelve.
He spent his early years cultivating the 120-acre family tobacco farm. He invented an irrigation system to control water flow, which increased crop production. At twenty-eight years old, his father died, and he and his mother became joint heirs of the family farm.
The Quaker family of George Ellicott operated a group of gristmills near Banneker’s farm. George was also a mathematician. Ellicott and Banneker found that their shared interests in mathematics and natural science brought them together as friends and created a special bond. In 1788, Ellicott lent Banneker mathematical books, a telescope, and drafting instruments. Ellicott intended to instruct Banneker on using the instruments, but Banneker already figured out how to do so before Ellicott could teach him.
In three years, Banneker became a well-respected astronomer. He developed his first almanac with accurate predictions of sunsets, sunrises, eclipses, weather conditions, and even calculations of the recurrence of Locust plagues. His six almanacs were unique in that they included opinion pieces, social commentary, moon phases, literature, medical advice, and tidal information, which was helpful for fishermen. In addition, he was able to predict a solar eclipse, which he submitted to George Ellicott. Benjamin’s work won the support of several leading Quaker abolitionists in Maryland and Pennsylvania, who used his work to refute the notion that Blacks were inferior to Whites. His almanacs, with their diverse content and accurate predictions, challenged the prevailing racial stereotypes of the time, demonstrating African Americans’ intellectual capacity and potential.
Banneker corresponded with Thomas Jefferson and apologized for taking the liberty to write to Jefferson. He wanted Jefferson to know about the talents of Blacks and the belief that Blacks possessed the same intellectual capacity as Whites. He publicly challenged Thomas Jefferson on the issue of slavery and racism by asking Jefferson if he felt all men are created equal while he took part in enslaving people. Banneker also addressed the attitude that many had false opinions of what the Negro could do and gave Jefferson a copy of his first almanac. Jefferson responded and thanked Banneker for his letter and almanac and replied, “Nobody wishes more than I do to see such proofs as you exhibit that nature has given to our Black brethren talents equal to those of the other colors of men.” Jefferson was so impressed that he sent a copy of the almanac to the Secretary of the Academy of Sciences in Paris, which advanced Banneker’s reputation at home.
When Banneker was sixty, the most distinguished honor that came to him was General Washington’s appointment to define the boundary lines and lay out the streets of the federal territory of Washington, D.C., in 1791. Banneker’s role in this project was significant, as he was not only a member of the committee but also a key contributor to the city’s plans. The committee consisted of Major Andrew Ellicott (a cousin of George Ellicott), the famous French engineer Major Pierre Charles L’Enfant, Count de Graff, William King, Nicolas King, and Benjamin Banneker.
Disagreements caused Major L’Enfant to leave the committee and take the plans, but because Banneker had a photographic memory, he was able to recreate the city plans for D.C. After completing the D.C. project, Banneker returned to his home and continued creating his almanacs until 1802.
Benjamin Banneker’s retentive memory, keen power of analysis, and fondness for studying mathematics and solving complex problems enabled this country to make advances in science, farming, exploration, and astronomy. His work and influence extended beyond his lifetime, inspiring future generations of African American scientists and contributing to the advancement of science and knowledge in the United States.