Benjamin Banneker did it all: naturalist, mathematician, astronomer and almanac author… and he did it all as a black man in 18th century America! Now, you can proudly display our exclusive likeness of him. This rendering is based on a crude 1795 woodcut of Banneker. We think it’s a very nice looking portrait. Here are just two examples of merch you can get this design on:
Choose from a wide variety of high-quality merch for your Benjamin Banneker design.
Who Was Benjamin Banneker?
Benjamin Banneker (1731–1806) was born free in Baltimore County, Maryland, when most African-Americans were enslaved and education was denied to them. With only a brief Quaker schooling, he taught himself through borrowed books and relentless observation.
A Clock Built from Memory
As a young man, he carved a wooden clock entirely from memory, which is thought to be the first clock built wholly in America. Amazingly, it kept accurate time for more than 40 years.
Astronomer and Surveyor
In his 50s, Banneker mastered astronomy and mathematics, correctly predicting a 1789 solar eclipse. In 1791, he helped survey the boundaries of the new national capital, Washington, D.C.
Author and Voice of Conscience
From 1792 to 1797, he published almanacs of astronomical tables and essays, becoming the first African American to do so. He even sent his manuscript to Thomas Jefferson, challenging his views on slavery and racial inferiority.
A Man Who Deserves Greater Recognition
Banneker died in 1806 as a farmer, inventor, astronomer, surveyor, and author, all with almost no formal schooling, in a slaveholding society. Each achievement refuted the racism of his age. That he is not a household name alongside Franklin or Jefferson shows how American memory has overlooked Black genius. His life is a standing challenge to the idea that genius requires privilege. And it’s a compelling reason he deserves far wider recognition than he has gotten.
