Benjamin Banneker was an American mathematician and amateur astronomer, compiler of almanacs and one of the first African American intellectuals. He became one of the most famous African Americans in early U.S. history.
Early Life of Benjamin Banneker
Benjamin Banneker was born on November 9, 1731, in Baltimore County, Maryland. His father, Robert Banneker, was an African slave who had bought his own freedon, and his mother, Mary Bannaky, was the daughter of an Englishwoman and a free African slave.
He grew up on his father's farm with his three sisters, and learned to read from his mother and grandmother. In the evenings, he read the Bible to his family. He loved reading. His extent of education was attending classes at a nearby Quaker county school for several seasons. Later, he taught himself mathematics, literature, and history.
Banneker's Clock
As he grew into an adult, Banneker inherited an already successful farm left to him by his grandparents. He expanded it, where he grew tobacco. In 1753, aged 21 or 22, he constructed a striking wooden clock without having ever seen a clock before although he had examined a pocket watch as a young man. He painstakingly carved the toothed wheels and gears of the clock out of seasoned wood. Until the time of his death, the clock operated successfully.
Amateur Astronomer
At the age of 58, Banneker became interested in astronomy through the influence of a neighbor, George Ellicott, who kindly lent him books on the subject, including information on telescope and drafting instruments.
Banneker taught himself the science of astronomy without further guidance from anyone. He made projections for solar and lunar eclipses and computed ephemerides for an almanac. In 1791, he was not able to sell his observations but these rejections did not stop him from further self-studies.
In February 1791 Major Andrew Ellicott, an American surveyor, was appointed to survey the 10-mile square of the Federal Territory for a new national capital. Banneker worked in the field for several months as Ellicott's scientific assistant. After the base lines and boundaries had been established and he had returned home, he prepared an ephemeris for the following year.
Banneker's AlmanacHis ephemeris was published in Benjamin Banneker's Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia Almanac and Ephemeris, for the Year of Our Lord, 1792. His calculations would give the positions of the planets and stars for each day the year, and from 1792 until 1797, his almanacs were published every year.
From 1792 through 1797, he calculated ephemerides (tables of the locations of stars and planets) for almanacs that were widely distributed and influential at that time.
The last known issue of Banneker's almanacs appeared for the year 1797, but he prepared Ephemerides for each year until 1804. He also published a treatise on bees.
Views on Slavery
When Banneker forwarded a copy of his Ephemerides calculations to Thomas Jefferson, at that time, secretary of state, he attached a letter criticizing Jefferson for his pro-slavery views, defending equality and urging the abolishment of slavery of African American people.
Final Years and Legacy
Banneker never married. He died on October 9, 1806, 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.
Recent studies have proven Banneker's status as an extremely capable mathematician and amateur astronomer.
Sources:
McGovern, Una, Editor. Chambers Biographical Dictionary. Edinburgh: Chambers Harrap, 2002
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