1731 – 1806
Benjamin Banneker
A self-taught stargazer who could read the sky like a book.
The Story
Benjamin grew up on a farm and taught himself math and astronomy from books.
Once he took apart a pocket watch, then carved a clock from wood — and it worked for 40 years!
He watched the sky and made an almanac that told farmers when to plant their crops.
He helped map out the new city of Washington, D.C., using the stars.
He wrote to Thomas Jefferson to remind him that all people are truly equal.
Learn More
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