biographies - benjamin benneker

biographies - benjamin benneker

Curiosities of Childhood

Benjamin Banneker was born on November 9, 1731, in Ellicott City, Maryland. He was a free African-American man living in a slave state in the eighteenth century. He learned reading and math at an early age from his Quaker grandmother. Once he was old enough to help on his parents’ farm, however, Benjamin’s education ended. 

Nevertheless, he had a fascination with taking things apart and putting them back together. At the age of twenty-one, Benjamin received his first pocket watch. He was so amazed by the workings of the intricate little machine that he built his own working clock out of wood.

Learning Astronomy

Benjamin soon became a clock and watchmaker. One of his customers was a surveyor named Joseph Ellicott. Ellicott was so impressed by Benjamin’s work that he lent him his books on mathematics and astronomy. By this time, Benjamin was fifty-eight years old. Nevertheless, he began to study astronomy. 

Benjamin quickly learned astronomy and even made calculations that predicted the times of solar and lunar eclipses. Benjamin wrote down his calculations in his own almanac. He also calculated the position of the planets for each day of the year. 

Abolitionist

In his correspondences with Jefferson, Benjamin criticized him for his pro-slavery views and urged him to put an end to slavery. Jefferson quickly responded and wrote that he agreed with Benjamin and hoped slavery could be abolished. 

Legacy

Benjamin died in 1806 as a pioneer in both astronomy and civil rights. Unfortunately, many of his papers and writings were lost in a fire on the day of his funeral. Today, a new monument in Washington, DC is being planned for him.

Multiple Choice

When did Benjamin receive his first pocket watch?

• before he began working on his parents farm

• after he was old enough to work on his parents' farm

• before his education ended

• at the age of 21

Multiple Choice

What fascination did Benjamin show at an early age?

• surveying

• reading and writing

• putting things together and taking them apart

• building watches

Multiple Choice

why was Benjamin an influential person for the African American community at this time?

• His accomplishments and involvement in ending slavery

• his education, despite being African American during slavery

• his major inventions and predictions