Overview

Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806) demonstrated that African Americans were capable of scientific and technological achievements. During the time that Banneker lived, the fledgling United States was attempting to create order from late eighteenth-century chaos. Although the American Revolution had secured political independence, the former colonies, merged into a confederation of state governments, experienced strife between and within the states. Entrenched social patterns, particularly that of slavery, prevented many individuals from aspiring to attain personal goals and contribute to society's improvement. Many white Americans, to maintain power, perpetuated untruths about blacks, especially concerning their intelligence and ingenuity. Banneker proved the falsehood of cultural myths about African Americans held during the early republic. Although he did not directly contribute to scientific theory, Banneker advanced American science through his example.

Background

Curious colonists pursued scientific investigations regarding natural phenomena...