Benjamin Banneker's Life And Accomplishments

413 Words1 Page

Benjamin Banneker was a famous Astronomer, clockmaker, self-educated mathematician and writer. He was born on November 9, 1731, in Ellicott's Mills, Maryland and died on October 9, 1806. Between 1792 and 1797 Benjamin Banneker wrote a series of Almanacs. These books included useful information like his astronomical calculations as well as literature, medical, and tidal information. Some of his other well know achievements included writing a letter to Thomas Jefferson, who was the secretary of state at the time, the creation of a working wooden clock that struck right on the hour every hour, and his creation of a chart that accurately predicted solar and lunar eclipses. In addition to these achievements he was well known for contributing

Show More
Related

  • Benjamin Banneker Biography

    360 Words  | 1 Pages

    Benjamin Banneker was born in 1731 near Baltimore. His Grandmother, an Englishwoman, taught him to read and write. For several winters he attended a small school open to blacks and whites. There he developed a keen interest in mathematics and science. Later, while farming, Banneker pursued his mathematical studies and taught himself astronomy. In 1753, he completed a remarkable clock. He built it entirely of wood, carving each gear by hand. His only models were a pocket watch and an old picture of a clock. The clock kept almost perfect time for more than fifty years.

    Read More

  • Benjamin Banneker Analysis

    802 Words  | 2 Pages

    Benjamin Banneker was a primarily self-educated child of a former slave who became a prominent African American renaissance man and activist during the 18th century. In 1791, Banneker wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson, the aim of which was to challenge Jefferson on the topics of slavery and racism, and hopefully get him to change his opinions and eventually take further action. He called upon tone, alluding to historical events, and juxtaposing the difference between Jefferson’s own writings and actions in order to drive his point home.

    Read More

  • Ben Franklin

    979 Words  | 2 Pages

    Benjamin Franklin was a remarkably talented man. He started his life as a printers apprentice, but went much farther then there. He developed things that were far more advanced than the time. Benjamin Franklin's stove for example, for cold winter nights, and bifocal lenses for reading. Franklin tracked storms to help understand the horrible weather endured by the colonies. But gis study of electricity made him mist famous and he was known world wide as the founder of the lightning rod. Not only was Benjamin Franklin helpful in developing ideas for better living, he was also a strong force in developing the new nation of America. Benjamin Franklins political views showed him to be a man who loved freedom and independence. His views towards England gradually changed from like to dislike until he finally

    Read More

  • Benjamin Franklin, His Talents and Shortcomings

    877 Words  | 2 Pages

    Benjamin Franklin, through hard work and perseverance, transformed himself into a philosopher, diplomat, inventor, writer, and scientist. (SOURCE) Franklin’s contributions and ideas significantly encouraged major progress in the development our country and improvements that continue to affect society. He showed that with a strong desire and honest and hard work anything is possible. Unlike most politicians, he was a common person. He is also a hero in that he symbolizes hope and possibilities for many Americans. However, Franklin was not a perfect human being, and for that reason, some believe that his face should not grace the $100 bill. His legacy is undeniably a major part in our history and as one of the key “founding fathers” to our society; the fact reminds Benjamin Franklin is distinct figure in our history. I will present my argument in favor of keeping Franklin on the bill.

    Read More

  • The Legacy Of Benjamin Franklin And The Declaration Of Independence

    997 Words  | 2 Pages

    Benjamin Franklin is one of the most profound individuals in American history. He is a Diplomat, Writer, Inventor, a founding father, and holds the title as the “First American.” In 1706 Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts Bay Colony. He is the fifteenth of seventeen children that his father, Josiah Franklin, had. At the age of 8 years old Franklin attended school, here he learned literacy. In spite of his successes in school, he had to drop out at the young age of 10 to assist his father with his business. Franklin did not enjoy working for his father’s business, however he had to work at his father’s shop for about 2 years. Josiah then had Benjamin apprenticed to his little brother, James, who was a printer. James is the founder

    Read More

  • Ben Franklin: Early Life

    1698 Words  | 4 Pages

    In his many careers as a printer, moralist, essayist, civic leader, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, and philosopher, for later generations of Americans he became both a spokesman and a model for the national character. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts on Jan. 17, 1706, into a religious Puritan household. His father, Josiah, was a candlemaker and a skillful mechanic. His mother, Abiah Ben’s parents raised thirteen children--the survivors of Josiah’s seventeen children by two wives (#1).

    Read More

  • Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

    1295 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is a representation of the new prospect of upward mobility in colonial America during the 18th century and the development of the Age of Reason, which assisted in the conception of the idea of the “American Dream”; a dream that includes fundamentally social ideals such as democracy, equality, and material prosperity. Furthermore, Franklin’s autobiography exemplifies a significant shift in focus from religion to enlightenment and reason. Additionally, there were forces specific to Benjamin Franklin's Philadelphia, that played an important role in his perspectives and the changes that occurred within colonial America during the 18th century.

    Read More

  • Personality Of Benjamin Franklin

    1154 Words  | 3 Pages

    Benjamin Franklin is considered to be one of the most well-known Founding Fathers, as he helped in writing the Declaration of Independence and the very first Constitution of the United States. Who was he other than a man who fought for colonist’s rights however? Franklin was a brilliant inventor who created many innovating and life changing mechanisms, such as the world’s very first almanac, bifocals, and the lightning rod. He was also a major figure in the American Enlightenment, which restored art, science and music, spreading moral philosophy all across the colonies. Although he was never elected to the role of President of the United States, Franklin served in several other parts, such as the first postmaster general for the colonies in

    Read More

  • Benjamin Franklin

    2144 Words  | 5 Pages

    Benjamin Franklin was one of the most significant figures during the 18th century. The significance of Benjamin Franklin can be observed through his contributions to society. Such contributions include his profession as a printer, the creation of the first subscription library, the creation of Poor Richard’s Almanac, and his experiments with electricity. In addition, Franklin also tried to reconcile the differences between England and America, and when that proved futile, he traveled to France in an attempt to convince the French to support America in their quest for independence from England. At one point in time Benjamin Franklin was the most famous American on the planet.

    Read More

  • Criticism Of Banneker's Letter

    308 Words  | 1 Pages

    Alongside the variation of tones, Banneker provides Jefferson with personal experience that refutes Jefferson’s claim that black people are intellectually inferior. Towards the end of the letter, Banneker describes various intellectual accomplishments which he has achieved over the past year. Moreover, Banneker illustrates his intellect by detailing one of his works, “a copy of an Almanack which I have calculated for the Succeeding year,” (Banneker). In writing this, Banneker displays his literacy as well as his capability to apply knowledge to predict the weather and such. All of the aspects displayed by the almanac are traits which Jefferson thought black people lacked, so including this leaves Jefferson to deduce that he is wrong. In the succeeding paragraph, Banneker describes his passion for knowledge by providing his reasoning for creating the almanac.

    Read More

  • Benjamin Banneker

    846 Words  | 2 Pages

    In addition to creating America's first clock, Banneker had an interest in astronomy. When Banneker's friend Andrew Ellicott died, he left him books on astronomy, scientific instruments, and a telescope. Banneker began to study astronomy and made mathematical calculations of the stars and constellations. He used these calculations to correctly predict a solar eclipse that took place on April 14, 1789.

    Read More

  • Summary Of Benjamin Franklin Of Old Philadelphia

    509 Words  | 2 Pages

    Ben Franklin was born in Boston on a Sunday in January of 1706. His father was a candle maker and had many sons. Ben from a young age was a very adventurous boy, he was often getting in trouble. As a teen Ben Franklin went to work with his brother as a newspaper printer. Ben was in love with books and wanted to write a column in his brothers paper. He and his brother argued several times and Ben ran away to New York but soon ended up in Philadelphia running his own newspaper company. Ben Franklin was a scientist and inventor, we’ve all heard about Ben with electricity. Ben Franklin was also a major founding father of the constitution and was viewed as a very patriotic person.

    Read More

  • Benjamin Banneker's Life And Accomplishments

    713 Words  | 2 Pages

    Banneker invented his first clock in 1753. It was made out of American Parts. People travel al across the world to see his wonderful invention. It was made from hand carved parts. And the clock struck for over 50 years. Unfortunately Banneker died on October 9th, 1806. His mother and his father by

    Read More

  • Why I admire Benjamin Franklin

    704 Words  | 2 Pages

    Benjamin Franklin completed many accomplishments from childhood to adulthood. When he was just 22 he established his first printing business with a partner, Hugh Meredith. Benjamin soon bought out Hugh Meredith's share. In 1732, when Franklin was only 26 he published the first edition of 'Poor Richards Almanack,' the book shows evidence that it was successful for 25 years. 'Poor Richards Almanack' allowed Franklin to retire from business a rich man in 1748. In 1741 Benjamin Franklin invented the Franklin Stove. The stove was handy for both, heating a room or cooking. In 1752 Benjamin Franklin conducted his famous electricity experiment with a kite. In 1757 Franklin returned to England as a Colonial agent for Pennsylvania. Next, in the year of 171 Benjamin began to write his own autobiography. In 1775 as a member of the Continental Congress, Franklin advocated separation from England. In 1776 Franklin helped draft the Declaration of Independence, in the fall he goes to France to plead the American cause. In 1778, Benjamin arranged the American Alliance with France, which soon led...

    Read More

  • Benjamin Franklin, A Man of Many Talents

    499 Words  | 1 Pages

    As a scientist, he experimented vastly with electricity. He invented the lightning rod, the Franklin stove, and bifocal glasses during his scientist career. As a writer, he wrote and published Poor Richard’s Almanac for several years. As a statesman, he served as a U.S. postmaster, minister to England and France, and a representative to the Continental Congress, where he assisted in the development of the Constitution. Benjamin Franklin was a multitalented individual whom I feel has contributed the greatest as a statesman.

    Read More

More about Benjamin Banneker's Life And Accomplishments

Open Document