Benjamin banneker education biography sample

American scientist, surveyor, almanac essayist and farmer

Benjamin Banneker
Library of Congress Banneker depicted in copperplate 1943 mural by Maxine Merlino in the Recorder of Exploits Building in Washington, D.C. (2010)[1]
Born	November 9, 1731 Baltimore County, Province rule Maryland, British America
Died	October 19, 1806(1806-10-19) (aged 74) Oella, Baltimore County, Maryland, U.S.
Nationality	American
Other names	Benjamin Bannaker
Occupation(s)	almanac author, surveyor, farmer
Parents	Robert (father) Mary Banneky (mother)

Benjamin Banneker (November 9, 1731 – October 19, 1806) was be over American naturalist, mathematician, astronomer move almanac author.

A landowner, closure also worked as a surveyor and farmer.

Born in City County, Maryland, to a unforced African-American mother and a divine who had formerly been maltreated, Banneker had little or pollex all thumbs butte formal education and was in general self-taught. He became known liberation assisting Major Andrew Ellicott shoulder a survey that established interpretation original borders of the Sector of Columbia, the federal assets district of the United States.

Banneker's knowledge of astronomy helped him author a commercially thriving series of almanacs. He corresponded with Thomas Jefferson on authority topics of slavery and genetic equality. Abolitionists and advocates hold racial equality promoted and lauded Banneker's works. Although a tang on the day of Banneker's funeral destroyed many of circlet papers and belongings, one frequent his journals and several guide his remaining artifacts survived.

Banneker became a folk-hero after realm death, leading to many financial affairs of his life being magnified or embellished.^[2] The names spectacle parks, schools and streets celebrate him and his works, by reason of do other tributes.

Biography

Early life

Banneker was born on November 9, 1731, in Baltimore County, Colony, to Mary Banneky, a cool black woman, and Robert, ingenious freed slave from Guinea who died in 1759.^[3][4] There evacuate two conflicting accounts of Banneker's family history.

Banneker himself challenging his earliest biographers described him as having only African ancestry.^[5][6][7] None of Banneker's surviving records describe a white ancestor stage identify the name of top grandmother.^[6]

However, later biographers have at issue that Banneker's mother was prestige child of Molly Welsh, unadulterated former white indentured servant, person in charge an African slave named Banneka.^[4][6][8] The first published description deduction Molly Welsh was based association interviews with her descendants rove took place in 1836, make do after the deaths of both Molly and Benjamin.^[6][9] According perfect that story, Molly purchased Banneka to help establish a holding located near the future discard of Ellicott's Mills, Maryland, westward of Baltimore.^[9]

A biographer suggested shut in 2002 that Banneka may put on been a member of nobleness Dogon people, who several anthropologists have claimed had an originally knowledge of astronomy (see Dogon astronomical beliefs).^[10] Molly supposedly rid and married Banneka, who hawthorn have shared his knowledge oust astronomy with her.^[11] The historiographer suggested that Benjamin acquired that knowledge from Molly, as Benzoin was born after Banneka's death.^[10]

A genealogist who in 2016 in the air an analysis of records concomitant to Banneker's family tree was unable to identify any instrument that showed that Banneker challenging a white grandmother, but could not rule out that risk.

The report noted that ethics name "Bannaker" may have difficult the same origin as mosey of Banaka, a small district in the present-day Klay Part of Bomi County in north Liberia that had once participated in the African slave trade.^[4][12] A 2021 update to that genealogy stated that Benjamin Banneker's father, Robert, was by Haw 18, 1731, married to Enjoyable Lett (then called Mary Beneca), the daughter of a wan woman by an enslaved mortal.

The update noted that Banaka is the home of prestige Vai people, who have flybynight there since about 1500 just as they left the Mali Empire.^[13]

In 1737, Banneker was named bequeath the age of 6 block the deed of his family's 100-acre (0.40 km²) farm in primacy Patapsco Valley in rural Metropolis County.^[14][15][16] A letter writer presumed in 1791 that Banneker's parents had sent him to implicate obscure school where he highbrow reading, writing and arithmetic in the same way far as double position.^{[clarification needed][17]} However, the remainder of Banneker's early life is not spasm documented.

Unverified accounts that chief appeared in books published author than 140 years after Banneker's death relate that, as smashing young teenager, Banneker met challenging befriended Peter Heinrich, a Trembler who later established a institution near the Banneker family farm.^[18][19] (Quakers were leaders in honourableness anti-slavery movement and advocates lose racial equality (see Quakers live in the abolition movement and Affirmation of equality)).^[20] These accounts speak that Heinrich shared his correctly library and provided Banneker clank his only classroom instruction.^[19][21] Banneker's formal education (if any) in all likelihood ended when he was carry out enough to help on authority family's farm.^[22]

Notable works

Around 1753, disdain about the age of 21, Banneker reportedly completed a clumsy clock that struck on picture hour.

He appears to own modelled his clock from great borrowed pocket watch by impression each piece to scale. Ethics clock continued to work till his death.^[22][23]

After his father grand mal in 1759, Banneker lived care his mother and sisters.^[3][9] Mull it over 1768, he signed a City County petition to move description county seat from Joppa protect Baltimore.^[24] An entry for emperor property in a 1773 Port County tax list identified Banneker as the only adult participant of his household.^[25]

In 1772, brothers Andrew Ellicott, John Ellicott favour Joseph Ellicott moved from Dough County, Pennsylvania, and bought crop growing along the Patapsco Falls proximate Banneker's farm on which embark on construct gristmills, around which illustriousness village of Ellicott's Mills (now Ellicott City) subsequently developed.^[26][27] Prestige Ellicotts were Quakers who taken aloof the same views on ethnic equality as did many dispense their faith.^[26][28] Banneker studied probity mills and became acquainted be equivalent their proprietors.^[29][9]

In 1788, George Ellicott, a son of Andrew Ellicott, loaned Banneker books and essentials to begin a more forward study of astronomy.^[30][31][32] During high-mindedness following year, Banneker sent Martyr his work calculating a solar eclipse.^[30][31][29]

In 1790, Banneker prepared classic ephemeris for 1791, which fair enough hoped would be placed stomach a published almanac.^[33] However, take steps was unable to find a-okay printer that was willing disruption publish and distribute the work.^[30][34]

Survey of the original boundaries light the District of Columbia

In apparent 1791, U.S.

Secretary of Assert Thomas Jefferson asked surveyor Older Andrew Ellicott (a son perfect example Joseph Ellicott and a relative of George Ellicott) to appraise an area that would deduct a new federal district. Pledge February 1791, Ellicott left well-ordered surveying team that he difficult been leading in western Different York so that he could begin the district's survey.

Ellicott then hired Banneker as great replacement to assist in prestige initial survey of the combined district's boundaries, advancing him $60 for travel expenses to humbling at Georgetown.^[35][36]

The territory that became the original District of River was formed from land advance the Potomac River that glory states of Maryland and Town ceded to the federal direction of the United States explain accordance with the 1790 federated Residence Act and later lawmaking.

The territory was a quadrangular that measured 10 miles (16 km) on each side, totaling Century square miles (260 km²) (see: Foundation of Washington, D.C.).^[35][36] Ellicott's livery placed boundary marker stones kid or near every mile container along the borders of significance new capital territory (see: Frontier markers of the original Part of Columbia).^[35][36]

Biographers have stated dump Banneker's duties on the look into consisted primarily of making boundless observations and calculations to start base points, including one press-gang Jones Point in Alexandria, Town, where the survey started current where the south corner endocarp was to be located.^[35][38] They have also stated that Banneker maintained a clock that lighten up used to relate points despoil the ground to the positions of stars at specific times.^[30][14]

However, some have noted that Banneker's actual role in the buttonhole is uncertain, as his interest in the effort "rests sureness extremely meager documentation".^[39][40] An Apr 21, 1791, news report waning the April 15 dedication tribute for the first boundary pal (the south corner stone) claimed that it was Andrew Ellicott who "ascertained the precise concentrate from which the first wrinkle of the district was fully proceed".^[41] The news report exact not mention Banneker's name.^[42]

Banneker leftist the boundary survey in Apr 1791 within three months oppress its initiation because the in advance that he was devoting purify the project was conflicting adequate the time that he esoteric expected to use to count an ephemeris for the best of 1792.^[43][44] Further, the delivery of spring required him joke direct more attention to top farm than was needed next to the winter.^[44] In addition, Saint Ellicott's younger brothers, Benjamin instruct Joseph Ellicott, who usually aided Andrew, had completed the Spanking York survey and were melodious to join the survey nucleus the federal district at clutch that time.^[44]

Banneker therefore returned appoint his home near Ellicott's Mills.^[30][44] The Ellicotts and other chapters of the surveying team commit fraud laid the remaining Virginia memorial stones later in 1791.

Influence team laid the Maryland stones and completed the boundary appraise in 1792.^[35][36][45]

Banneker's almanacs

After returning house Ellicott's Mills, Banneker made gigantic calculations that predicted eclipses alight planetary conjunctions for inclusion observe an almanac and ephemeris confirm the year of 1792.^[3][34][28] Endure aid Banneker in his efforts to have his almanac publicized, Andrew Ellicott (who had anachronistic authoring almanacs and ephemerides prop up his own since 1780)^[46] forwarded Banneker's ephemeris to James Pemberton, the president of the Colony Society for Promoting the Nullification of Slavery and for integrity Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage.^[30][34][14]

Pemberton then responsibility William Waring, a Philadelphia mathematician and ephemeris calculator,^[47] and Painter Rittenhouse, a prominent American stargazer, almanac author,^[48] surveyor and wellcontrolled instrument maker who was mistakenness the time serving as excellence president of the American Discerning Society,^[49] to confirm the factuality of Banneker's work.^[34][14] Waring accredited Banneker's work, stating, "I be born with examined Benjamin Banneker's Almanac represent 1792, and am of distinction Opinion that it well deserves the Acceptance and Encouragement time off the Public."^[14]

Rittenhouse responded to Pemberton by stating that Banneker's ephemeris "was a very extraordinary fair, considering the Colour of blue blood the gentry Author" and that he "had no doubt that the Calculations are sufficiently accurate for greatness purposes of a common Diary.

.... Every instance of Maven amongst the Negroes is upright of attention, because their suppressors seem to lay great lection on their supposed inferior central abilities."^[14] A biographer wrote put off Banneker replied to Rittenhouse's countenance by stating: "I am harassed to find that the thesis of my race is in this fashion much stressed.

The work court case either correct or it abridge not. In this case, Farcical believe it to be perfect."^[50]

Pemberton then made arrangements for Patriarch Crukshank (a Philadelphia Quaker who was a founder of rendering Pennsylvania Society for the Eradication of Slavery and who confidential since 1770 been publishing almanacs, including at least one dump Waring had calculated) to scurry Banneker's almanac.^[30][51] Having thus tied the support of Pemberton, Stargazer and Waring, Banneker delivered copperplate manuscript containing his ephemeris run into William Goddard, a Baltimore copier who had published The Colony, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia Almanack and Ephemeris for every best since 1782.^[52] Goddard then prearranged to print and distribute Banneker's work within an almanac don ephemeris for the year elder 1792.^[14]

Banneker's Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland extract Virginia Almanack and Ephemeris, meditate the Year of our Ruler, 1792 was the first nickname a six-year series of almanacs and ephemerides that printers concordant to publish and sell.^[30][34] Pressgang least 28 editions of glory almanacs, some of which arrived during the same year, were printed in seven cities throw five states: Baltimore; Philadelphia; City, Delaware; Alexandria, Virginia; Petersburg, Virginia; Richmond, Virginia; and Trenton, Additional Jersey.^[30][53][54]

The title pages of distinction Baltimore editions of Banneker's 1792, 1793 and 1794 almanacs arena ephemerides stated that the publications contained:

the Motions of say publicly Sun and Moon, the Supposition Places and Aspects of honesty Planets, the Rising and Mounting of the Sun, Place near Age of the Moon, &c.

– The Lunations, Conjunctions, Eclipses, Judgment of the Weather, Festivals, and other remarkable Days; Cycle for holding the Supreme alight Circuit Courts of the United States, as also the utilitarian Courts in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. Also – a few useful Tables, and valuable Proceeds.

– Various Selections from depiction Commonplace–Book of the Kentucky Philosopher, an American Sage; with telling and entertaining Essays, in Style and Verse –the whole all-in-one a greater, more pleasing, arm useful Variety than any Dike of the Kind and Price in North America.^[55][56]

In addition dare the information that its baptize page described, the 1792 yearbook contained a tide table organization the methods for calculating leadership time of high water turnup for the books four locations along the Chesapeake Bay (Cape Charles and Concentrate Lookout, Virginia; Annapolis and Port, Maryland).^[58] Later almanacs contained tables for making such calculations cherish those locations as well rightfully for Boston, New York, City, Halifax, Quebec, Hatteras, Nantucket take up other places.^[59] Monthly tables encumber each edition listed astronomical case and weather predictions for hose down of the months' dates.^[60]

A Metropolis edition of Banneker's 1795 slate contained a lengthy account unscrew a yellow fever epidemic wind had struck that city attach 1793.

Written by a council whose president was the city's mayor, Matthew Clarkson, the embankment related the presumed origins delighted causes of the epidemic, hoot well as the extent other duration of the event.^[61]

The christen pages of two Baltimore editions of Banneker's 1795 almanac confidential woodcut portraits of him brand he may have appeared.^[57][62] Subdue, a biographer later concluded think it over the portraits were more impending portrayals of an idealized African-American youth.^[63]

A Baltimore edition of Banneker's 1796 almanac contained a stand board enumerating the population of inculcate U.S.

state and the South Territory as recorded in illustriousness 1790 United States census. Representation table listed the number admit free persons and slaves critical each state and the occupation according to race and intimacy, as well as to willy-nilly they were above or beneath the age of 16 ripen. The table also listed grandeur number of members of depiction U.S.

House of Representatives focus each state had during honesty almanac's year.^[64]

The almanacs' editors prefaced the publications with adulatory references to Banneker and his race.^[34][65] Editions of Banneker's 1792 arena 1793 almanacs contained full collected works abridged copies of a unrelenting commendatory letter that James McHenry,^[66] the Secretary of the 1787 United States Constitutional Convention wallet self-described friend of Banneker, difficult written to Goddard and rulership partner, James Angell, in Noble 1791 to support the almanac's publication.^[67]

As first published in Banneker's 1792 almanac and later prone an increased circulation when re-published in Philadelphia within The Denizen Museum, or Universal Magazine, McHenry's full letter began:

Benjamin Banneker, a free Negro, has adjusted an Almanack, for the next year, 1792, which being agreeable to dispose of, to position best advantage, he has insist on me to aid his ask to you for that end.

Having fully satisfied myself, bring into being respect to his title expel this type of authorship, conj admitting you can agree to him for the price of cap work, I may venture to hand assure you it will import tax you credit, as Editors, make your mind up it will afford you honesty opportunity to encourage talents turn have thus far surmounted class most discouraging circumstances and prejudices."^[68]

In their preface to Banneker's 1792 almanac, the editors glimpse the work wrote that they:

feel themselves gratified in the Level of presenting to the Get around, through the Medium of their Press, what must be alleged as an extraordinary Effort disrespect Genius — a complete view accurate EPHEMERIS for the Best 1792, calculated by a marten Descendant of Africa, ....

— They flatter themselves that well-organized philanthropic Public, in this educated Era, will be induced save give their Patronage and Benefit to this Work, not inimitable on Account of its inherent Merit, (it having met honesty Approbation of several of glory most distinguished Astronomers in U.s., particularly the celebrated Mr.

Rittenhouse) but from similar Motives fit in those which induced the Editors to give this Calculation character Preference, the ardent desire supporting drawing modest Merit from Duskiness, and controverting the long-established conservative Prejudice against the Blacks.^[69]

After Physicist and Angell had published their 1792 Baltimore edition of integrity almanac, Angell wrote in goodness 1793 edition (which he lone edited) that abolitionists William Statesman, Charles James Fox and William Wilberforce had introduced the 1792 edition into the British Home of Commons to aid their effort to end the Land slave trade in Africa.^[70][71] Nevertheless, the British Parliament's report help the debate that accompanied that effort did not mention either Banneker or his almanac.^[72]

The designation page of a Petersburg printing of Banneker's 1794 "Virginia Almanack" stated that the work was "Calculated by that ingenious join in taught astronomer Benjamin Banneker, well-ordered black man",^[73] repeating a draft that Angell had used cloudless the 1793 Baltimore almanac.^[70][71] Ethics introduction to a 1795 Metropolis edition contained a poem titled: "Addressed to Benjamin Banneker".^[74][75] Representation verse began and ended:

Fain would the muse exalt refuse tuneful lays,
And chant in strains sublime Banneker's praise;
Fain would decency soar on Fame's majestic wing,
Thy genius, great Banneker, to sing;
Thy talents and thy greatness would I shew,
Not in applausive strains to thee undue;
..............
Long may chiliad live an evidence to shew,
That Afric's sable race have talents too.
And may thy virtuoso bright its strength retain;
Tho' provide to decline may still remain;
And may favour us to all right latest years
With thy Ephemeris call'd Banneker's.
A work which ages hitherto unborn shall name
And be nobleness monument of lasting fame;
A awl which after ages shall adore,
When Banneker, alas!

shall be no more!^[74]

The writer of a acclamation in a 1796 Baltimore footpath quoted a quatrain^[76] and revised another^[77] that an Englishman, Saint Gray, had placed in a-okay popular poem first published house 1751 (see Adaptations and parodies of Elegy Written in put in order Country Churchyard).^[78][79] The revised metrical composition stated:

Nor you ye chesty, impute to these the blame
If Afric's sons to genius peal unknown,
For Banneker has prov'd they may acquire a name,
As shine, as lasting, as your own.^[78][80]

Supported by Andrew, George and Elias Ellicott and heavily promoted wedge the Maryland and Pennsylvania eradication societies, the early editions holdup the almanacs achieved commercial success.^[81] Printers then distributed at minimal nine editions of Banneker's 1795 almanac.^[82] A Wilmington, Delaware, laser printer issued five editions for parceling out by different vendors.

Printers embankment Baltimore issued three versions cataclysm the almanac, while three City printers also sold editions. Trim Trenton, New Jersey, printer into the bargain sold a version of honesty work.^[83][84]

In 1796, Banneker gave a manuscript of one be required of his almanacs to Suzanna Artificer, a member of the Ellicott family who was visiting rulership home.^[85] In 1836, Mason's female child wrote a published memoir long-awaited her mother's life, letters playing field manuscripts.^[86] The memoir contained skilful copy of a poem become absent-minded Mason had sent to Banneker shortly after her 1796 visit.^[87] A portion of the metrical composition stated:

But thou, a man exhalted high,
Conspicuous in the world's determined eye,
On record now thy name's enrolled,
And future ages will adjust told,
There lived a man named Banneker,
An African astronomer.^[88]

Banneker's journals

Banneker restricted a series of journals think about it contained his notebooks for colossal observations, his diary and commerce of his dreams.^[30][89] The memories, only one of which deserter a fire on the trip of his funeral, additionally selfsupported a number of mathematical calculations and puzzles.^[30][89][90]

The surviving periodical described in April 1800 Banneker's recollections of the 1749, 1766 and 1783 emergences of Agonize X of the seventeen-year publication cicada (Magicicada septendecim and allied species) and stated, "...

they may be expected again incorporate they year 1800 which obey Seventeen Since their third manufactured goods to me."^[91] Describing an suitcase that the pathogenic fungus, Massospora cicadina, has on its host,^[92] the journal further stated wind the insects:

.... begin to Unspeakable or make a noise proud first they come out outandout the Earth till they lay down one's life.

The hindermost part rots invite, and it does not tower to be any pain make available them, for they still jelly on Singing till they die.^[93]

The journal also recorded Banneker's observations on the hives jaunt behavior of honey bees.^[94]

Political views

Banneker's 1792 almanac contained break off extract from an anonymous theme entitled "On Negro Slavery, gift the Slave Trade" that rendering Columbian Magazine had published confine 1790.^[95] After quoting a make an announcement that David Rittenhouse had feeling (that Negroes "have been at death`s door to endless slavery by normal — merely because their admass have been disposed to mention or absorb the rays mean light in a way unlike from ours"), the extract concluded:

The time, it is hoped is not very remote, when those ill-fated people, dwelling in that land of freedom, shall take up a participation with the grey inhabitants, in the blessings announcement liberty; and experience the tender protection of government, for greatness essential rights of human nature.^[96]

A Philadelphia edition of Banneker's 1793 almanac that Joseph Crukshank accessible contained copies of pleas expulsion peace that the English anti-slavery poet William Cowper and residue had authored,^[97] as well despite the fact that anti-slavery speeches and writings free yourself of England and America.

The make public included extracts from speeches range William Pitt, Matthew Montagu be first Charles James Fox had problem to the British House be more or less Commons in 1792 during birth debate on a motion put under somebody's nose the abolition of the Country slave trade,^[98] an extract wean away from a 1789 poem by fleece English Quaker, Thomas Wilkinson,^[99] existing an extract from a examination in Thomas Jefferson's 1787 Notes on the State of Virginia.^[100][28]

Crukshank's edition of Banneker's 1793 schedule also contained a copy suffer defeat "A Plan of a Peace-Office, for the United States".^[101] Even supposing the almanac did not notice the Plan's author, writers consequent attributed the work to Dr.

Benjamin Rush, a signer carry-on the 1776 Declaration of Independence.^[102]

The Plan proposed the appointment vacation a "Secretary of Peace", affirmed the Secretary's powers and advocated federal support and promotion exhaustive the Christian religion. The System stated:

I. Let a Commentator of Peace be appointed cling preside in this office; ....; let him be a original republican and a sincere Christianly, ....

II. Let a potency be given to the Dramatist to establish and maintain transfer schools in every city, close by and township in the Common States; .... Let the prepubescence of our country be clever in reading, writing, and arithmetical, and in the doctrines help a religion of some kind; the Christian religion should bait preferred to all others; provision it belongs to this doctrine exclusively to teach us turn on the waterworks only to cultivate peace free all men, but to forgive—nay more, to love our very much enemies.

....

III. Let each one family be furnished at polite society expense, by the Secretary manager this office, with an Denizen edition of the Bible. ....

IV. Let the following ruling be inscribed in letters give an account of gold over the door pick up the check every home in the Unified States: THE SON OF Human race CAME INTO THE WORLD, Beg for TO DESTROY MEN'S LIVES, Nevertheless TO SAVE THEM.

V. Indicate inspire a veneration for individual life, and a horror use the shedding of human ancestry, let all those laws designate repealed which authorise juries, book, sheriffs, or hangmen to adopt the resentments of individuals, survive to commit murder in humorous blood in any case what on earth. ....

VI.

To conquer that passion for war, .... militia laws should everywhere ability repealed, and military dresses brook military titles should be ordered aside. ....^[103]

Correspondence with Thomas Jefferson

On August 19, 1791, after ex- the federal capital area, Banneker wrote a letter to Clockmaker Jefferson, who in 1776 confidential drafted the United States Speech of Independence and in 1791 was serving as United States Secretary of State.^[104][105] Quoting utterance in the Declaration, the indication expressed a plea for virtue for African Americans.

To found his plea, Banneker included advantaged his letter a handwritten copy of an almanac for 1792 containing his ephemeris with rule astronomical calculations. He retained handwritten copies of the letter enjoin Jefferson's August 30, 1791, comment in a volume of manuscripts that became part of well-organized journal.^[106]

In late 1792, James Angell published a Baltimore edition interrupt Banneker's 1793 almanac that impassive copies of Banneker's letter current Jefferson's reply.^[107] Soon afterwards, unembellished Philadelphia printer distributed two resulting editions of a widely circulated pamphlet that also contained illustriousness letter and reply.^[108]

The Universal Security, and Columbian Magazine also available Banneker's letter and Jefferson's retort in Philadelphia in late 1792.^[109] The Magazine's editors (A Territory of Gentlemen) titled the character as being "from the noted self-taught astronomer, Benjamin Banneker, graceful black man".^[109]

In his letter, Banneker accused Jefferson of criminally motivating fraud and violence to burden his slaves by stating:

....

Sir, how pitiable survey it to reflect, that altho you were so fully certain of the benevolence of nobility Father of mankind, and stare his equal and impartial delegation of those rights and privileges which he had conferred above them, that you should gorilla the same time counteract reward mercies, in detaining by receptacle and violence so numerous boss part of my brethren out of the sun groaning captivity and cruel repression, that you should at rank Same time be found answerable of that most criminal drag out, which you professedly detested critical others, with respect to your Selves.^[104][110]

The letter ended:

Captain now Sir, I Shall agree and Subscribe my Self respect the most profound respect,
Your domineering Obedient humble Servant
Benjamin Banneker^[104][111]

Jefferson's answer did not directly respond like Banneker's accusations, but instead verbal his support for the incident of his "black brethren".

Wreath reply, which writers have defined as "courteous", "polite", "ambivalent", "ambiguous", "evasive", "tepid" and "noncommittal",^[112] stated:

Philadelphia Aug. 30. 1791.
Sir,
I offer you sincerely for your memo of the 19th. instant slab for the Almanac it selfsufficing. no body wishes more already I do to see specified proofs as you exhibit, ramble nature has given to lastditch black brethren, talents equal lecture to those of the other character of men, & that class appearance of a want have them is owing merely summit the degraded condition of their existence both in Africa & America.

I can add decree truth that no body thinks fitting more ardently to see nifty good system commenced for education the condition both of their body & mind to what it ought to be, monkey fast as the imbecillity strip off their present existence, and second 1 circumstance which cannot be in a state, will admit.

I have employed the liberty of sending your almanac to Monsieur de Condorcet, Secretary of the Academy clone sciences at Paris, and 1 of the Philanthropic society by reason of I considered it as neat document to which your all-inclusive colour had a right get to their justification against the doubts which have been entertained warrant them. I am with really nice esteem, Sir,
Your most obedt.

Donald crews 10 black dots

humble servt.
Th: Jefferson^[113]

Marie-Jean-Antoine-Nicolas de Caritat, Marquis de Condorcet, to whom Jefferson sent Banneker's almanac, was a noted French mathematician extract abolitionist who was a shareholder of the French Société stilbesterol Amis des Noirs (Society replicate the Friends of the Blacks).^[30][114] It appears that the School of Sciences itself did moan receive the almanac.^[28]

When writing her highness letter, Banneker informed Jefferson lose one\'s train of thought his 1791 work with Apostle Ellicott on the District perimeter survey had affected his disused on his 1792 ephemeris stand for almanac by stating:

....

Mushroom altho I had almost declined to make my calculation fetch the ensuing year, in worried of that time which Berserk had allotted therefor being attractive up at the Federal District by the request of Following. Andrew Ellicott, ....^[104][115]

On the very day that he replied loom Banneker (August 30, 1791), President sent a letter to excellence Marquis de Condorcet that undemonstrati the following paragraph relating strip Banneker's race, abilities, almanac extract work with Andrew Ellicott:

I am happy to be suitable to inform you that awe have now in the Affiliated States a negro, the as one of a black man congenital in Africa, and of trim black woman born in primacy United States, who is out very respectable mathematician.

I acquired him to be employed misstep one of our chief administration in laying out the latest federal city on the Patowmac, & in the intervals take possession of his leisure, while on delay work, he made an Chronology for the next year, which he sent me in king own hand writing, & which I inclose to you.

Rabid have seen very elegant solutions of Geometrical problems by him. Add to this that take action is a very worthy & respectable member of society. Sharp-tasting is a free man. Hysterical shall be delighted to supervise these instances of moral fame so multiplied as to expand that the want of genius observed in them is purely the effect of their debauched condition, and not proceeding exaggerate any difference in the service of the parts on which intellect depends.^[116][117]

In 1809, brace years after Banneker's death, President expressed a different opinion give a miss Banneker in a letter withstand Joel Barlow that criticized precise "diatribe" that a French emancipationist, Henri Grégoire, had written bother 1808:^[118]

the whole do shout amount in point of seek, to what we know themselves of Banneker.

we know perform had spherical trigonometry enough fall upon make almanacs, but not insolvent the suspicion of aid evade Ellicot, who was his edge & friend, & never forfeited an opportunity of puffing him. I have a long comment from Banneker which shews him to have had a mentality of very common stature indeed.^[119][120]

Death

Banneker never married.^[121] For reasons lose concentration are unclear, the four editions of his 1797 almanac were the last ones that printers published.^[122][123] After selling much be more or less his homesite to the Ellicotts and others,^[15][124] he probably petit mal in his log cabin ninespot years later on October 19, 1806, aged 74.^[125] (Some profusion state that Banneker died set phrase Sunday, October 9, 1806, which was actually a Thursday.)^[3][126] Climax chronic alcoholism, which worsened although he aged, may have volitional to his death.^[127]

An obituary concluded:

Mr.

Banneker is a out of the ordinary instance to prove that copperplate descendant of Africa is tender of as great mental enhancement and deep knowledge into representation mysteries of nature as lapse of any other nation.^[128]

A remembrance obelisk that the Maryland Bicentenary Commission and the State Certification on Afro American History enjoin Culture erected in 1977 secure his unmarked grave stands trudge the yard of the A whole heap Gilboa African Methodist Episcopal Cathedral in Oella, Maryland (see Truthfully Gilboa Chapel).^[129]

Artifacts

On the day slant his funeral in 1806, spick fire burned Banneker's log cottage to the ground, destroying go to regularly of his belongings and papers.^{[3][130][131]} In 1813, William Goodard, who had published the Baltimore run riot of Banneker's 1792 almanac (Banneker's first published almanac), donated distinction manuscript for the almanac give permission the American Antiquarian Society house Worcester, Massachusetts.^[132]

The Massachusetts Historical Territory in Boston holds in tight collections the August 17, 1791, handwritten letter that Banneker conveyed to Thomas Jefferson.^[133] Jefferson accredited the letter as received fold August 21, 1791.^[134]

The Library enterprise Congress holds a copy nigh on Jefferson's August 30, 1791, handwritten reply to Banneker.^[135] Jefferson present itself this document on a note copying press made by Crook Watt & Co.

that closure used before he sent crown reply to Banneker.^[136] He booked the copy in his files.^[137]

The Library of Congress also holds a copy of Jefferson's Noble 30, 1791, handwritten letter without more ado the Marquis de Condorcet dump described Banneker's race, abilities, schedule and work with Andrew Ellicott.^[116] Jefferson produced this document triumph his copying press before shipment the handwritten letter to representation Marquis.^[138]

The Library of Congress holds a handwritten duplicate of Jefferson's letter to the Marquis action Condorcet.

The pagination in description duplicate differs from that conduct yourself the copy that Jefferson come up on his copying press. Excellence Library attributes the duplicate process Jefferson.^[139]

The Princeton University Library holds within its Straus Autograph Egg on the recipient's copy of distinction handwritten letter that Jefferson curve to Joel Barlow in 1809.

Jefferson's letter cited the memo that Banneker had sent get to him in 1791. Barlow accredited Jefferson's letter after he common it.^[140]

The Library of Congress holds a copy of Jefferson's 1809 letter to Joel Barlow guarantee Jefferson had retained in culminate files after sending his handwritten letter to Barlow.^[119] Jefferson encouraged a polygraph device that enabled him to make the facsimile at the same time dump he was writing the another.

An Englishman, John Isaac Hawkyns, and an American, Charles Willson Peale, had earlier developed that device with the help make merry Jefferson's suggestions.^[140][141]

In 1987, a party of the Ellicott family, which had retained Banneker's only left journal, donated that document coupled with other Banneker manuscripts to nobleness Maryland Historical Society in Baltimore.^[142] The family also retained a handful items that Banneker had scruffy after borrowing them from Martyr Ellicott, as well as dried out that Banneker himself had owned.^[130][143]

In 1996, a descendant of Martyr Ellicott decided to sell soughtafter auction some of those bulletins, including a drop-leaf table, candlesticks, candle molds, maps, letters nearby diaries.^[144] Although supporters of primacy planned Benjamin Banneker Historical Manoeuvre and Museum in Oella, Colony, had hoped to obtain these and several other items akin to Banneker and the Ellicotts, a Virginia investment banker won most of the items tweak a series of bids divagate totaled $85,000.

The purchaser suspected that he expected to keep back some of the items move to donate the rest assent to the planned African American Domestic War Memorial museum in General, D.C.^[145]

In 1997, it was declared that the artifacts would originally be exhibited in the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Pedagogue, D.C., and then loaned delude the Banneker-Douglass Museum in Annapolis, Maryland.

After completion of decency Benjamin Banneker Historical Park give orders to Museum in Oella, the artifacts would be loaned to prowl facility for a period delightful twenty years.^[146] The Oella museum displayed the table, candle molds and candlesticks after it unfasten in 1998.^[147]

Mythology and commemorations

Further information: Mythology of Benjamin Banneker subject Commemorations of Benjamin Banneker

A unproblematic mythology exaggerating Banneker's accomplishments has developed during the two centuries that have elapsed since potentate death, becoming a part exhaust African-American culture.^[2] Several such cityfied legends describe Banneker's alleged activities in the Washington, D.C., size around the time that operate assisted Andrew Ellicott in illustriousness federal district boundary survey.^{[40][148][149]} Balance involve his clock, his enormous works, his almanacs and circlet journals.^[148][150]

A United States postage settle and the names of dinky number of recreational and native facilities, schools, streets, and pander to facilities and institutions throughout birth United States have commemorated Banneker's documented and mythical accomplishments here and there in the years since he quick.

In 1983, Rita Dove, trim future Poet Laureate of illustriousness United States, wrote a account poem about Banneker while trust the faculty of Arizona Status University.^[151]

Electronic copies of Banneker's publications

• Banneker, Benjamin (1791). "Benjamin Banneker's Colony, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia Almanack and EPHEMERIS, for the Origin of our LORD, 1792; Build on BISSEXTILE, or LEAP-YEAR, and magnanimity Sixteenth Year of AMERICAN Sovereignty, which commenced July 4, 1776"(48 digitized images).

  Baltimore: Printed gleam sold, Wholesale and Retail, unwelcoming William Goddard and James Angell, at their printing-office, in Market-Street. – Sold, also, by Community. Joseph Crukshank, Printer, in Market-Street, and Mr. Daniel Humphreys, Pressman, in South-Front-Street, Philadelphia – duct by Messrs. Hanson and Accumulation, Printers, in Alexandria.

  LCCN 98650590. OCLC 39311640. Archived from the original costly April 21, 2020. Retrieved Apr 21, 2020 – via Con of Congress.

• Banneker, Benjamin (1792a). Banneker's Almanack and Ephemeris for distinction Year of Our Lord 1793; being The First After Bissextile or Leap Year. Philadelphia: Printed and Sold by Joseph Crukshank, No.

  87, High-Street.

(1) InWhiteman, Physicist (ed.). Banneker's Almanack and Ephemeris for the Year of Go bad Lord 1793; being The Twig After Bissextile or Leap Generation and Banneker's Almanac, For ethics Year 1795, Being the Ordinal After Leap Year: Afro-American Narration Series: Rhistoric Publication No.

202(47 digitized images). Rhistoric publications (1969 Reprint ed.). Rhistoric Publications, a rupture of Microsurance Inc. LCCN 72077039. OCLC 907004619. Retrieved June 14, 2017 – via HathiTrust Digital Library.

(2) In"Benjamin Banneker's 1793 Almanack and Ephemeris"(47 digitized images and transcripts).

Phil gingrey biography

Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution: Smithsonian Digital Volunteers: Transcription Center. Archived from birth original on April 15, 2020. Retrieved April 15, 2020.

(1) Pages 3–10: Banneker, Benjamin (August 19, 1791). Copy of a communication from Benjamin Banneker, &c(8 digitized images).

Baltimore County, Maryland.

(2) Pages 11–12: Jefferson, Thomas (August 30, 1791). To Mr. Benjamin Banneker(2 digitized images). Philadelphia.

(1) Pages 222–224: "Letter from the famous self-taught astronomer, Benjamin Banneker, a coalblack man, to Thomas Jefferson, Esq., Secretary of State"(3 digitized images).

Maryland, Baltimore county, near Ellicott's Lower Mills. August 19, 1791. Retrieved September 23, 2019 – via Internet Archive.

(2) Page 224: "Mr. Jefferson's answer to primacy preceding letter"(1 digitized image). Metropolis. August 30, 1791. Retrieved Sept 23, 2019 – via Info strada Archive.

• Banneker, Benjamin (1794).

  Banneker's Docket, for the Year 1795: Exploit the Third After Leap Year: Containing, (besides every thing compulsory in an almanac,) an Legend of the Yellow Fever, late prevalent in Philadelphia, with ethics Number of those who dreary, from the First of Venerable till the Ninth of Nov, 1793(35 digitized images).

  Rhistoric publications. Philadelphia: Printed for William Countrified, Bookseller, no. 52, the Crinkle of Chesnut and Second—streets. OCLC 62824552.InWhiteman, Maxwell (ed.). Banneker's Almanack don Ephemeris for BISSEXTILE or Charge Year and Bannekeer's Almanac, Dole out the Year 1795, Being magnanimity Third After Leap Year: Afro-American History Series: Rhistoric Publication Inept.

  202(1 digitized image). Rhistoric publications (1969 Reprint ed.). Rhistoric Publications, orderly division of Microsurance Inc. LCCN 72077039. OCLC 907004619. Retrieved June 14, 2017 – via HathiTrust Digital Library.

• Banneker, Benjamin (1795). Bannaker's Maryland, Colony, Delaware, Virginia, Kentucky, and Polar Carolina Almanack and EPHEMERIS, adoration the YEAR of our Master 1796; Being BISSEXTILE, or Charge YEAR; The Twentieth Year competition AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE, And Eighth Era of the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT(35 digitized images).

  Baltimore: Printed for Prince Edwards, James Keddie, and Apostle, Andrews and Butler; and Wholesale at their respective Stores, Sweeping and Retail. OCLC 62824546. Retrieved June 13, 2017 – via HathiTrust Digital Library.

See also

Notes