Benjamin Banneker
Surveyor, Clockmaker & Planner of
Washington, DC
1731-1806
- Born as a "free" Black on November 9, 1731 in what was then
the British Colony of Maryland.
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In 1737 the Banneker family moved to Baltimore County,
Maryland with his father, mother and three sisters. Young
Benjamin and his father jointly owned a 100 acre tobacco farm.
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Benjamin became a voracious reader by reading the Bible but
his real love was arithmetic. His grandmother arranged for
him to attend an integrated school when he was a teenager.
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At age 21, he decided to build a clock after seeing, studying
and drawing a pocket watch. His clock included a bell that
rang on the hour every hour. The clock attracted many visitors
from miles away.
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In 1788, Benjamin became interested in astronomy and started
developing his first Ephemeris (astrological almanac containing
the positioning of a heavenly body).
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He became Surveyor and Astronomer and worked with the Ellicott
Brothers (present day Ellicott city, MD is named after them)
on many assignments and projects.
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Benjamin published his Almanac in 1792 and published one every
year thereafter until 1797. His almanac became well known
all over the newly formed United States and in Europe.
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Benjamin Banneker became very wealthy from the sale of his
Almanacs.
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In 1791, he became Assistant Surveyor of the city of Washington,
DC.
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Benjamin Banneker completed the design and layout of Washington,
DC after Pierre L' Enfant, who had been commissioned to perform
the project, resigned and departed to France following many
quarrels with the American officials.
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On October 9, 1806 Benjamin Banneker died at the age of 74
in his home in what is now Ellicott City, Maryland.
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Benjamin Banneker became one of the most well-known
African Americans of all times.