| Banneker had an important influence on how African Americans were viewed during the Federalist and Jeffersonian periods of American history. Born in Baltimore County, Maryland, Banneker was the child of a free black father. He had little formal education, but he became literate and read widely. At 21, he built a clock with every part made of wood.-it ran for over 40 years. After the death of his father, he lived on his father's 100-acre farm. Self taught in the fields of astronomy and surveying, he assisted in the survey of the Federal Territory of 1791 and made eclipse projections for Benjamin Banneker's Almanac. He published this almanac with information about weather forecasts and astronomy informtion during the years 1792-1797. He retired from tabacco farming to concentrate on his studies. He talked with Thomas Jefferson and urged him to work for the abolition of slavery. |
