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Person · 1731–1806

Benjamin Banneker

The free-born, self-taught mathematician and astronomer who published almanacs and challenged Jefferson on race.

An early proof against the lies of [[white-supremacy]]; a founder of [[black-science]].

Largely self-educated, Benjamin Banneker calculated astronomical tables for a series of almanacs and helped survey the boundaries of Washington, D.C. He sent a copy of his almanac to Thomas Jefferson with a letter condemning slavery and the hypocrisy of the new republic.

Science & Invention

On the timeline

  1. 1792
    Benjamin Banneker's Almanac

    The self-taught astronomer and mathematician publishes his almanac and challenges Thomas Jefferson on racial equality.

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    Science & Invention

    Self-taught mathematician, astronomer, and almanac author who helped survey the boundaries of the District of Columbia and challenged Thomas Jefferson on slavery and equality.