35TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION Super Hero BENJAMIN BANNEKER

Benjamin Banneker

Benjamin Banneker was a walking refutation of the theory of his day that Blacks were inferior to whites. Considered the first Black American man of science, Banneker was a math wizard, astronomer, and inventor.

Banneker was born a freeman outside Baltimore on November 9, 1731. His grandmother had been a white dairymaid who came from England as an indentured servant. His grandfather was an African prince who had been her slave. They married.

His grandmother, Molly, began a small farm after fulfilling her service. His father, a freed slave from Guinea who married Molly's daughter, Mary, expanded the farm. Banneker was raised on the farm, and he spent most of his life there, pursuing his scientific studies.

When he was young, his grandmother and mother taught him to read the Bible, primarily

so he could read it to them as they relaxed in the evening. Later, he bought what few books he could afford and borrowed others. He taught himself literature, history, and math.

In his twenties, Banneker built a clock, a testament to his mathematical wizardry. He had never seen a wooden, striking clock before, but he had seen a pocket watch. Banneker used math ratios to determine the relationship of the gears and wheels, which he carved from-wood with a pocketknife. The clock only stopped running when Banneker's house caught fire and the clock burned, 50 years later.

Banneker took over the family farm. He kept a large vegetable garden for his personal use, and he tended beehives for honey. He also learned to play the flute and violin. After his parents' deaths, Banneker sold portions of the farm for money to allow him to continue his studies.

In his forties, after reading math books lent to him by neighbors, Banneker could solve any problems submitted to him. He also wrote a treatise on bees, conducted a mathematical study on the cycle of the 17-year locust, and correctly predicted a solar eclipse in 1789.

Banneker had befriended the Ellicotts, a Quaker family of surveyors and industrialists. They lent him books on astronomy and instruments to work out calculations. After they saw his abilities, they enlisted Banneker's help.

In 1790, President George Washington hired the Ellicotts to survey a l0-square-mile area that would become Washington, D.C. Banneker helped them mark base points using calculations and astronomical instruments. Banneker was the first Black federal employee.

When Banneker returned to his farm, he was even more interested in astronomy. For the next ten years, Banneker made accurate studies of the stars. He published his results in his popular almanacs. More than 29 editions of the almanacs were issued. In them, he was the first to propose the establishment of a department of peace to replace the Department of War.

Thomas Jefferson was a fan of Banneker's almanacs. Jefferson sent almanacs overseas to scientists and leaders, who learned of, studied, and praised Banneker's work.

In the later part of his life, Banneker lived alone on his farm. 'He often entertained friends and visitors who 'were aware of his great repute. Banneker also became involved with the abolitionist movement, especially after the invention of the cotton gin entrenched the institution of slavery in the South in 1793.

Banneker died quietly at his home on October 9, 1806. He was 74 years old.

From Great African Americans.  Copyright, Publications International, Ltd.