Benjamin Banneker: Father of The Clock

On November 9, 1731, Benjamin Banneker was born in Baltimore County, Maryland.  He was the son of two free African slaves.  Benjamin lived on his father’s farm and attended a nearby school for several years. He received no further education but enjoyed reading. He taught himself literature, history, and mathematics. Banneker worked on a tobacco farm for most of his life. He invented an irrigation system to control water flow to the crops from nearby springs. As a result of Banneker’s innovation, and knowledge of crop rotation, the farm flourished.

In 1776, the Third Continental Congress met and submitted the Declaration of Independence from England. Soon after, the Revolutionary War broke out and Banneker set out to grow crops of wheat in order to help feed American troops. His knowledge of soil gained from his grandfather allowed him to raise crops in areas which had previously stood barren.

He turned from farming to watch and clock making. Benjamin borrowed a pocket watch from a wealthy friend. He took the watch apart and studied its components. He sketched each piece and carved the same components on a larger scale.  In 1761, at the age of 30, he assembled these wood parts and pinions and created a fully functioning striking clock. The clock struck once every hour and was extremely accurate; it operated successfully for over 50 years.  This invention attracted a lot of attention and Banneker was able to start up his own watch and clock repair business.

  Once again, Banneker’s interests shifted. When someone lent him several books on astronomy, he became very interested in the subject. Without further guidance or assistance, Banneker taught himself the science of astronomy. His study of astronomy enabled him to make the calculations to predict solar and lunar eclipses,  In 1792, he began to write and publish almanacs that included information on medicines and medical treatment, as well as tides and other astronomical information.   He also published six annual editions of The Farmer’s Almanac, a valuable tool in an agricultural economy.

Banneker sent  a copy of his almanac to Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson.  Jefferson was impressed with his work and studies and forwarded the almanac to the Royal Academy of Sciences in Paris as evidence of the talent of blacks. This began a long correspondence between the two men that would extend over several years.  Banneker urged Jefferson to help get rid of absurd and false ideas that one race was superior to another. He expressed to Jefferson that blacks in the United States possessed an intellectual capacity and mental capability equal to whites. He stated that blacks should be given the same rights and opportunities as whites. Banneker’s research and determination helped convince people that African-Americans were not inferior to whites.