Benjamin Banneker

Benjamin Banneker was born in Maryland in 1731. He was born free, even though many Black people were enslaved at that time. His mother was a free black woman, and his father had once been enslaved. His grandmother was a white woman from the UK.

Banneker went to a small school for a short time. There, he learned to read, write, and do maths. But most of what he knew, he learned on his own. He loved books and liked to watch how things worked.

He grew up on a farm and learned how to care for it. He was smart, curious, and wanted to solve problems. These early years helped him become a great thinker and inventor.

Benjamin Banneker did many great things in life. One of the first was building a wooden clock. He did this by taking apart a pocket watch, studying it, and carving each piece of the clock to a larger scale. It worked well and kept time accurately for over 50 years! As a result, Banneker was often asked to help repair watches, clocks, and sundials. The Banneker Inc. watch and clock company is named after him.

Later, he became interested in stars and planets. He learned how to predict eclipses and track the movement of the Moon and Sun. He used this knowledge to write almanacs. These were books filled with weather, moon phases, sunrise and sunset times, and tips for farmers. He also wrote about important issues like freedom and slavery.

In 1791, he helped survey Washington, D.C. He worked with a team to measure land and help plan the new capital. He was very good at maths and measuring, which helped a lot.

One of the bravest things he did was write a letter to Thomas Jefferson, the United States Secretary of State. Banneker quoted parts of the Declaration of Independence, respectfully asking how Jefferson (who'd written the first draft) could say 'that all men are created equal' while still owning enslaved people. Along with the letter, Banneker also sent a copy of his almanac for the following year, using it to challenge the prejudices Jefferson and others held about the intellect of Black people.

Jefferson wrote back. Though his response was polite and acknowledged Banneker's achievements, he did not commit to any action around the issue of slavery. Years later, when writing to someone else, Jefferson also seemed sceptical of Banneker's academic ability and believed he must have had help to complete the almanac, showing his views may not have changed at all.

Despite this, the letters between Jefferson and Bannekar are significant, and many historians praise Bannekar's courage in challenging one of the founding fathers of America.

Banneker is remembered as a smart and brave man. He was one of the first black scientists and writers in America. At a time when black people had few rights, he proved that they could do great things.

His books helped people understand science, farming, and fairness. His letter to Thomas Jefferson is still famous today, showing he was unafraid to speak up. Today, schools and parks are named after him. He is a hero to many, especially to those in the fields of maths and science.

Benjamin Banneker didn't just love math and stars. He also liked nature and farming. He grew crops and kept track of the weather. He learned when to plant and harvest.