BENJAMIN BANNEKER (1731 - 1806) was a Mathematician, Astronomer, and Author. He is celebrated for assisting with surveying the land that became America’s National Capital, Washington, DC. His almanacs were published between 1792 and 1797, and included astronomical calculations, as well as opinion pieces, literature, medical information, and tidal information useful to fishermen. As a result of his almanac writings, he had the opportunity to exchange letters with Thomas Jefferson about black achievements. Banneker became one of the most famous African Americans in early United States history.
