Benjamin Banneker was an African-American farmer, self-educated mathematician, astronomer, and surveyor but most importantly, Benjamin Banneker was a FREE MAN not a slave, despite living in a slave state during the early years of the republic.   Although he received little schooling, Banneker demonstrated exceptional scientific ability and taught himself advanced mathematics and astronomy. In 1789 U.S. President George Washington appointed Banneker to the commission charged with the survey, planning and construction of Washington D.C. Working with Major Andrew Ellicott, he surveyed the site of the national capital and laid out its streets and parkways following the design of city planner — Pierre Charles L’Enfant.

Born on November 9, 1731, Banneker grew up on a 100-acre tobacco farm owned by his father – a formerly enslaved man — along the Patapsco River in Maryland.  Benjamin received an education that was uncommon for African Americans.  In Maryland, where the overall literacy was relatively low, Banneker’s grandmother, an Irish-born former indentured servant, taught him how to read and write, and Benjamin continued his studies alongside both white and black classmates at a one-room school nearby.  His hunger for knowledge went beyond the classroom. In his early twenties, Banneker gained local admiration by hand-carving a wooden clock that kept perfect time—he had studied the gears of a pocket watch to master the mechanics.

It took Benjamin many years to find acceptance for his intellectual abilities.  Finally in 1771, he was introduced to George Ellicott, a Quaker from Pennsylvania, who moved to Baltimore County and established a gristmill just a few miles down the road from Banneker’s tobacco farm.  Curiosity about mechanical construction of the mill, Banneker soon connected with his new neighbor.  George Ellicott was also a land surveyor with a passion for astronomy and he loaned Banneker technical books and lunar tables. Banneker quickly mastered the discipline of surveying and began assisting Ellicott on his commissions.

On July 16, 1790, Congress passed the Residence Act, establishing a new Federal City to be constructed along the Potomac River. President George Washington appointed three commissioners to oversee its construction and Andrew Ellicott, George’s cousin, was brought on as practical engineer. Needing assistance on the project and with his usual associates otherwise occupied, Andrew invited Banneker to join him in mapping out the future seat of the federal government. It was the first time in his life Banneker ventured more than ten miles from his farm.  Banneker’s primary responsibilities were in the observatory tent, where he maintained the regulator clock.  Each day, Ellicott would use the regulator clock to set his own timepiece, which he would use to determine latitude. At night, Banneker would record astronomical observations.

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