Benjamin Banneker

Benjamin Banneker (November 9, 1731 – October 9, 1806) is a free African American almanac author, surveyor, naturalist, and farmer.

Born in Baltimore County, Maryland, to a free African American woman and a former slave, Banneker has little formal education and is largely self-taught.

He is known for being part of a group led by Major Andrew Ellicott that surveyed the borders of the original District of Columbia, the federal capital district of the United States.

Banneker's knowledge of astronomy helps him author a commercially successful series of almanacs.

He corresponds with Thomas Jefferson, drafter of the United States Declaration of Independence, on the topics of slavery and racial equality.

Abolitionists and advocates of racial equality promote and praise his works.

Although a fire on the day of Banneker's funeral destroys many of his papers and belongings, one of his journals and several of his remaining artifacts are presently available for public viewing.

Parks, schools, streets and other tributes have commemorated Banneker throughout the years since he lived.

However, many accounts of his life exaggerate or falsely attribute his works.

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