Benjamin Banneker: A Self-Made Man

Benjamin Banneker was an African American scholar, astronomer, mathematician, and inventor who lived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He was a self-taught man who made significant contributions to science and society.

Banneker was born in 1731 in Baltimore County, Maryland. His parents were Benjamin Banneker Sr., a former slave, and Mary Banneker, a free woman of color. Banneker's father died when he was young, and his mother raised him and his two sisters on a tobacco farm.

Benjamin Banneker: Self-Made Man (Social Studies Readers)

by Jody Jensen Shaffer

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	10256 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	32 pages

FREE

Banneker showed an early interest in learning. He taught himself to read and write, and he studied mathematics, astronomy, and other subjects. In 1753, he began working as a surveyor for the Maryland-Pennsylvania boundary line.

In 1789, Banneker published his first almanac, which contained astronomical data, tide tables, and other information. The almanac was a success, and it helped to establish Banneker's reputation as a scientist.

In addition to his work as a surveyor and almanac maker, Banneker also invented a number of devices, including a clock, a mill, and a plow. He also wrote a number of essays on science and society.

Banneker was a respected member of his community. He was elected to the American Philosophical Society, and he served as a trustee of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Banneker died in 1806 at the age of 74. He is buried in Baltimore, Maryland.

Legacy

Benjamin Banneker is remembered as a brilliant self-taught man who made significant contributions to science and society. His work helped to pave the way for other African Americans to achieve success in science and other fields.

There are a number of memorials to Banneker in the United States. The Benjamin Banneker Memorial Park in Baltimore is named after him, and there is a statue of him in the United States Capitol.

Banneker's legacy continues to inspire people today. He is a reminder that anyone can achieve great things, regardless of their circumstances.

Benjamin Banneker: Self-Made Man (Social Studies Readers)

by Jody Jensen Shaffer

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	10256 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	32 pages

FREE