Benjamin Banneker was an influential African American inventor, mathematician, astronomer, and writer, born in 1731 in Ellicott's Mills, Maryland. The eldest of four children, he was raised on a family homestead and displayed exceptional intelligence from a young age. His grandmother supported his curiosity and learning, while he also contributed to farmwork alongside his studies.
Banneker's resourcefulness stood out as he created an irrigation system that significantly enhanced his father's farm productivity, even in drought conditions. His analytical skills became apparent as he excelled in mathematics, earning a reputation for solving complex problems posed by prominent scholars. A pivotal moment occurred when he borrowed a watch, deconstructed it to understand its mechanisms, and eventually crafted the Banneker Clock from wood. This clock became recognized as the first built in America and operated accurately for two decades.
His increasing interest in astronomy led him to study patterns in the night sky. With borrowed books from friend George Ellicott, Banneker self-taught himself enough to successfully predict a solar eclipse in 1789, garnering widespread attention, especially since his prediction contradicted leading astronomers of the time.
In 1773, Banneker began making calculations for farmer’s almanacs, which included significant information on various topics. He published his first almanac in the 1790s, sending a copy to Thomas Jefferson along with a letter advocating for the end of slavery. Jefferson, impressed by Banneker's talents, recommended him for a surveying team that contributed to the planning of Washington, D.C. Despite the lead architect's departure, Banneker recalled the city’s layout from memory, reproducing it accurately in just two days.
Banneker continued to publish his almanacs until 1802 and gained recognition as an early African American expert in science. He wrote scholarly papers on topics such as bees and locust plagues and remained a vocal advocate against slavery and violence until his death on October 25, 1806. His legacy endures as a testament to self-directed learning and the pursuit of knowledge, while actively seeking to improve the conditions of others.