Authors Purpose

Authors Purpose

By Ms. Reinicke

November 9th, 2013. Daily Gazette
Celebrating Benjamin Banneker

On this day in history, a man was born who helped shape the United

States. In fact, if Benjamin Banneker had not lived, our capital would

look very different than it does today. Banneker was a scientist,

farmer, and math expert. He was also an African American. At that

time, African Americans were not given many opportunities. Banneker

did not let the problems he encountered hold him back. Instead, he

accomplished many things in his career. He also worked to bring equal

treatment for all people.

Early Life

Benjamin Banneker was born on November 9, 1731. From the time he

was young, Banneker soaked up knowledge like a sponge. His

grandmother taught him how to read. Later, he went to school. There,

he learned math and writing. When Banneker was fifteen, he stopped

going to school. It was time for him to care for the family farm.

Young Scientist

Even though Banneker was busy farming, he was always curious. He borrowed books to learn more about math and science. One day, a friend let him borrow a pocket watch. Banneker had never seen a clock before. He carefully took the watch apart. Then he drew pictures of every part. Finally, he put the watch back together so that it worked again. Using what he had learned, Banneker made a clock entirely out of wood. It became famous for being the first clock made in the New World. The clock worked perfectly for many years. Banneker also used his mind to help farmers. For example, he found that locusts came in large numbers every 17 years. His discovery

helped farmers plan so that their crops would not be eaten. He also rotated, or moved, crops each year. Doing this made them grow better. When there was not much rain, Banneker figured out ways to get water to the fields.

City Planner

As time passed, Banneker continued to study many subjects. In 1791,

he was hired by the government. The United States was a new nation.

Banneker would help plan the capital city. Washington, D.C. was to be

an important place. It must be planned carefully.

One day, the man in charge quit and took the city plans with him.

Within two days, Banneker had drawn all the plans again. He used

only his memory to help him. Today, the White House, Capitol, and

other buildings are exactly where Banneker drew them to be.

Friend of Freedom

It was clear that Banneker was working hard. Yet he found time for another big job. In 1791, he printed his first almanac. This book gave information about medicines, tides, and the stars. It described what the weather would probably be like. It even told when eclipses would

happen. This book was helpful to many people. On August 19, 1791, Banneker planted a seed for civil rights. He sent a copy of his almanac to Thomas Jefferson. With it, he included a letter asking Jefferson why he kept slaves. Jefferson had said he was a "friend to liberty." If so, then he should see that no race is better thananother. People from every race can do great things. Jefferson praised Banneker's work. However, he did not free his slaves. Banneker was not discouraged by Jefferson's actions. Instead, he worked to help people who were trying to outlaw slavery. He wrote essays and booklets to persuade people that everyone should be free. He included many of these writings in his almanacs so that people all around the colonies would read them.

Later Life

Even when he was older, Banneker still wanted to learn. Every year until 1802, he published a new almanac. Today, Benjamin Banneker is known for being the first African American scientist and math expert. In a time when African Americans were treated unfairly, Banneker

never gave up. Even though he did not have much schooling, he worked hard all his life to learn on his own. With his writings, he tried to bring freedom to African Americans. He even helped make our capital what it is today. Banneker shows that people truly can do great

things even when they are faced with many challenges

Multiple Choice

The author wrote the passage as a newspaper story.

What is the most likely reason the author wrote the passage this

way?

• to include the date to celebrate

• to show that this story was important and true

• to tell an interesting story rather than write about the facts.

• to report what she learned from people who knew Banneker

Multiple Choice

The passage tells the story of Benjamin Banneker in the order in which

the events happened.

What is the most likely reason the author wrote the passage this

way?

• It is the way stories are told in a newspaper.

• It is easier to tell any story from the beginning.

• It is a way to give more important information first.

• It is easier to understand how events in his life affected what he did.