Benjamin Banneker Biography

Curiosities of Childhood

Benjamin Banneker was born on November 9, 1731, in Ellicott City, Maryland. He learned reading and math at an early age from his Quaker grandmother. Once he was old enough to help on his parents’ farm, however, Benjamin’s education ended. Nevertheless, he exhibited an unusual fascination with taking things apart and putting them back together. At the age of twenty-one, Benjamin received his first pocket watch. He was so amazed by the workings of the intricate little machine that he built his own working clock out of wood.

Learning Astronomy

Benjamin soon became a clock and watchmaker. One of his customers was a surveyor named Joseph Ellicott. Ellicott was so impressed by Benjamin’s work that he lent him his books on mathematics and astronomy. By this time, Benjamin was fifty-eight years old. Nevertheless, he began to study astronomy. Benjamin quickly learned astronomy and even made calculations that predicted the times of solar and lunar eclipses. Benjamin wrote down his calculations in his own almanac. He also calculated the position of the planets for each day of the year. His almanac was called Benjamin Banneker’s Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia Almanack and Ephemeris, for the Year of Our Lord, 1792; Being Bissextile, or Leap-Year, and the Sixteenth Year of American Independence.

Surveying the District of Columbia

At the age of fifty-nine, Benjamin was hired by Andrew Ellicott, the brother of Joseph Ellicott, to assist in surveying the area that would eventually become the District of Columbia. Although Benjamin had to leave the project early because of illness, he forwarded a copy of his almanac to Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson.

Correspondence with Thomas Jefferson

Banneker's Other Observations

Interestingly, in his single surviving journal, Banneker noted observations of three cycles of the Brood X cicada in 1749, 1766, and 1783. He also documented his observations of honey bees and their hive behaviors.

Legacy

Benjamin died in 1806 as a pioneer in both astronomy and civil rights. Unfortunately, many of his papers and writings were lost in a fire on the day of his funeral. Today, a new monument in Washington, DC is being planned for him.

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Benjamin Banenker Activities

• Benjamin Banneker Reading Comprehension Printable - This resource includes a reading passage and seven multiple choice questions.
• Benjamin Banneker Text Elements (Headings) - This printable activity requires students to match the six different headings to their correct paragraphs.
• Benjamin Banneker Topic Sentence with Supporting Details - This printable activity requires students to select sentences from a series of sentences that fit under the given topic sentence, and to construct a paragraph based on the logical order of the selected sentences.
• Benjamin Banneker Correct-me Passage -This fun activity requires students to correct a passage about the life of Benjamin Banneker that has eight factual errors. Students first must discover the errors, then click on them and select the correct answer from the drop down menu.
• Benjamin Banneker Virtual History Test - Students play the role of a virtual history teacher and must grade responses to three questions about the life of Benjamin Banneker. Each response is incomplete, and students must fill in the missing information in the "response" section. It's designed to reinforce the importance of elaboration. Students can use the Benjamin Banneker biography for reference.
• Benjamin Banneker Fact or Fiction (Printable) - This fun activity requires students to read a Benjamin Banneker passage and then, to sort 11 statements into those that are facts and those that are fiction.
• Benjamin Banneker Fact or Fiction (Online) - This fun activity requires students to read a Benjamin Banneker passage and then, to sort 11 statements into those that are facts and those that are fiction. The program gives immediate feedback.