Benjamin Banneker was born in 1731 on a farm along the Patapsco River, about 10 miles from Baltimore, to a free mulatto mother and an African father who had purchased his way out of slavery. He spent most of his young life on the farm, going off to a Quaker school in the winter. He had an eighth-grade education by the time he was fifteen, at which time he took over the operations for the family farm.

In 1752, Banneker built a wooden clock with just a pocket watch (which he received as a gift) to guide his creation. When the nearby farmers decided to change their crops from tobacco to wheat, Banneker (with his stronger knowledge of mechanics) helped construct the farmers mills. Inspired by a friend who was a mathematician and astronomer, Banneker began to study astronomy and successfully predicted the solar eclipse that occurred on April 14, 1789, contradicting the forecasts of prominent mathematician and astronomers of the day.

In 1791 Banneker was appointed to the three man team of surveyors named by President George Washington to design the District of Columbia. He was the first African to receive a presidential appointment. Many believe he was the real architect of DC.

In 1792 Banneker published his almanac, which he sent a copy with a 12-page letter to Thomas Jefferson reacting to Jefferson’s (then Secretary of State) racist remarks regarding African intellect. Banneker continued to publish his almanac and host other distinguished scientist and artist of his day on his farm in Maryland until his death in 1806.