Benjamin Banneker was born on November 9th 1731, in Baltimore, Maryland. His father’s name was Robert and his mother’s name was Mary Banneky. Robert was able to buy his own freedom and the freedom of Mary Banneky. Both his mother and father were freed slaves. It is said that he had only African blood in his veins. Although it has been said that his grandmother on his mother side was white. Benjamin grew up on his father’s farm with his sister, this place is where he was taught to read by his mother and grandmother. After learning to read Benjamin later attended a local Quaker school. It was been reported that his grandfather was a member of the Dogon tribe. He was freed by Benjamin Banneker’s future grandmother Molly Welsh. After a
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As Banneker grew into a man, with the farm he inherited he became a successful farmer of tobacco. In 1788 this man named George Ellicott loaned Banneker a book and equipment to begin a more formal study of astronomy. During the following year Banneker sent George his work calculating a solar eclipse. At some point Thomas Jefferson became aware of the views of slavery from Banneker by a letter that was written to him. Banneker and Jefferson had different views, Banneker thought that the slavery that was going on in the United States was no different than the slavery that the British had done to the American colonies. Jefferson was so impressed that he shared the letters with other government officials. After many letters Thomas Jefferson agreed with what Benjamin Banneker was saying and submitted Banneker’s research to Just three years later Thomas Jefferson hired Banneker to help with the initial survey of the boundaries of the New Federal District. One of the main reasons that Jefferson hired Banneker his excellent work however he was also hired because Jefferson believed in racial equality. Banneker’s job on the survey was to make astronomical observation at Jones Point in Alexandria, VA to ascertain the location of the starting point for the
As Banneker grew into a man, with the farm he inherited he became a successful farmer of tobacco. In 1788 this man named George Ellicott loaned Banneker a book and equipment to begin a more formal study of astronomy. During the following year Banneker sent George his work calculating a solar eclipse. At some point Thomas Jefferson became aware of the views of slavery from Banneker by a letter that was written to him. Banneker and Jefferson had different views, Banneker thought that the slavery that was going on in the United States was no different than the slavery that the British had done to the American colonies. Jefferson was so impressed that he shared the letters with other government officials. After many letters Thomas Jefferson agreed with what Benjamin Banneker was saying and submitted Banneker’s research to Just three years later Thomas Jefferson hired Banneker to help with the initial survey of the boundaries of the New Federal District. One of the main reasons that Jefferson hired Banneker his excellent work however he was also hired because Jefferson believed in racial equality. Banneker’s job on the survey was to make astronomical observation at Jones Point in Alexandria, VA to ascertain the location of the starting point for the