Banneker was appointed to a team to survey land for a new capitol of the United States.
Banneker supposedly was able to reproduce plans for the city by memory when the head surveyor, Pierre Charles L'Enfant left the project, taking all of the plans with him.
Engineering and Math
Astronomy
After having examined a friend's watch, Banneker built a striking clock out of hand-carved wood (he used a pocket-knife) and metal pieces.Banneker was only in his early 20's.
Banneker's clock worked for many years.
Banneker became known for his skill in math and many people came to him to solve math problems.Banneker's almanacs included clever math problems as well.
Influences
Josef Levi: Said to have showed Banneker his pocket watch, which inspired Banneker to build his clock
George Ellicott:loaned Banneker books and equipment to help him study astronomy
Peter Heinrichs: founded the school Banneker attended
From 1792 to 1797, Banneker calculated and recorded the positions of stars and planets. After compiling extensive data, Banneker used his findings to publish an almanac.
Banneker successfully predicted a solar eclipse in 1789.
Social Movements
Banneker was a strong advocate of racial equality.
Banneker sent Thomas Jefferson a copy of his almanac and a letter protesting Jefferson's pro-slavery views and advocating the abolition of slavery.
Banneker's letter and Jefferson's response were widely distributed.
Accomplishments
Agriculture
Born:Nov.9, 1731
Died:Oct.9, 1806
Nationality:American
Early on, Banneker developed a series of ditches and created an irrigation system for his family's tobacco farm, enabling it to succeed even during drought years.
Banneker was the first to study the 17 year cycle of the locust, which allowed farmers to prepare for the attacks.
Published a series of almanacs. He included tide tables, information on eclipses, sunrise, sunset and weather. Banneker's almanacs were very useful for farmers and the agricultural economy.
Banneker also wrote a dissertation on bees.
Anecdotes
Early Life
Unfortunately, Banneker's home burnt down, taking most of his journals and possessions (including his clock) with it. Interestingly, his house caught on fire as his funeral was taking place and, though the exact cause is unknown, it is strongly believed that the fire was deliberately started.
Banneker was born in 1731 in Maryland and was the oldest of four children.
Banneker's first education came from his grandmother who taught him using the Bible.
Banneker instantly displayed great intelligence and learned to play the flute and violin.
Banneker attended an integrated Quaker-run school in the winters (when he wasn't needed to operate his family's tobacco farm) where he received elementary education.
Banneker was mainly self-educated and had to use borrowed textbooks to teach himself since he could not afford his own.
Banneker's grandmother Mary Welsh Banneker was supposedly a white Englishwoman who emigrated to America as an indentured servant. Welsh allegedly bought slaves once her service was over and fell in love with (and freed) a man named Banneka. The two married despite harsh Maryland laws against interracial marriages (at least 256 women were criminally punished for marrying black men in colonial era Maryland). However, other accounts claim that Banneker had only African ancestry.
Later Life
Banneker never married and was known for his reclusive lifestyle in later life.
It is said that Banneker used to wrap himself in a cloak and lay out all night looking at the stars. Banneker is also known to have spent many hours in his lab and observing the stars with his telescope.
Banneker passed away in 1806 after having reported feeling ill.Banneker's alcoholism is thought to have contributed to his death.
Legacy
Banneker is credited with being the first African American scientist.
Banneker is an inspirational figure and some records of his accomplishments have been exaggerated.
Banneker's story is inspirational and continues to show people that formal education and high social class are not necessary to succeed and contribute to society.