Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806)

Benjamin Banneker, a free African American astronomer, mathematician, surveyor, author and farmer. He was named to the commission which made the original survey of Washington, D.C.

Link to A Man of Many Firsts

For more, see Mathematician and Astronomer Benjamin Banneker was Born November 7, 1731 from the Library of Congress.

Benjamin Banneker's Almanack

He publicly opposed slavery and included his opposition in Benjamin Banneker's Almanac, a collection of scientific information (compared to Benjamin Franklin's Poor Richards Almanac) that was published annually between 1792-1797.

Read the 1793 Almanack from Library of Congress

•  Features an annual calendar, statistical information, phases of the moon, astronomical data, and tide tables as well as social commentary

Benjamin Banneker and the Design of Washington D.C.

   Link also to Washington, D.C, the Nation's Capitol

Benjamin Banneker's Capital Contributions, WETA Public Television

The Founding of Washington, D.C.

• Original design by Pierre Charles L'Enfant

• L'Enfant Fired by George Washington and left with the plans for the city

• Benjamin Banneker in his role as a surveyor was a key member of a team of people who recalled L'Enfant's plans and created the city