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Writing a biographical sketch12/30/2023 ![]() ![]() The team included Andrew Ellicott, his younger brother Joseph, and self-taught African American surveyor Benjamin Banneker. In the 1790s, a group of surveyors under the command of President George Washington surveyed the boundary lines of the federal territory that became the District of Columbia. Banneker, a fellow of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, was born in the American colonies and was active during the early years of the United States. Banneker was a self-taught clockmaker, but many historians say he created the first clock made in the United States. Banneker's astronomical clock, which he built himself, has been keeping time accurately for decades. It's not known when Benjamin Banneker began his influence on American science, but he did contribute a great deal to the field. He was only employed for three months, however, so the work was not particularly notable. Banneker worked out of an observatory tent, using a zenith sector to record the movement of stars. Andrew Ellicott then hired Banneker to help him in his survey of the territory to be the nation's capital. George Ellicott, who possessed a large personal library, loaned Banneker books on astronomy. Banneker was a talented astronomer who was employed by the Ellicott family, who owned gristmills in the Baltimore area. At about the same age, Benjamin met Quaker Peter Heinrich, a member of the anti-slavery movement, who helped build a school near his farm and spent time with Benjamin.ĭespite the challenges of his time, Banneker enjoyed a successful and widely-received career. At around the age of six, he was named on the family farm deed and sent to a school to learn to read and write. We do know that he attended Quaker school in his younger years. The early life of Benjamin Banneker is poorly documented, and we know very little about his parents. During the early part of his career, Banneker was a surveyor and helped draw the original borders of the District of Columbia. He excelled in the natural sciences and was highly educated. He was also the free descendent of two enslaved Africans. Born free in Baltimore County, Maryland, Banneker went on to become an accomplished author, publisher, astronomer, and urban planner. This Benjamin Banneker biographical sketch gives an insight into the life of this African-American mathematician, astronomer, farmer, and author. You'll also find useful tips for writing biographical sketches for students and adults. And don't forget to learn about his contributions to American society. ![]() What can you expect to learn about him in your Biographical sketch? Read on to learn about his early life, his career, and his impact on American science. If you're in a science class and studying Benjamin Banneker, then you're probably curious about his life. ![]()
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