Benjamin Banneker

Here is an interview with the famous scientist Mr. Benjamin Bannekerv who was a talented scientist of the Revolutionary Era.

Eric: Mr. Banneker What early events in your life might have your sparked you interest in science?

Benjamin Banneker: Well I would have to say that probably my enthusiasm for arithmatic sparked my interest in science. When I was a young boy a man named Mr. Heinrich lent me some school books on math and arithmatic that I really liked and I believe that was when I got interested in science.

Eric: What role did mentors play in helping develop your skills and talents in life?

Benjamin Banneker: Throughout my life I did not have any mentors, I relied on logic and reasoning to develop my skills and talents and read many books.

Eric: What was the state of knowledge that existed when you entered your field of science?

Benjamin Banneker: Well during my time as a scientist much was already known about clockmaking, and surveying. In the field of astronomy however, I developed my own method of tracking celestial bodies which lead to my very succesful Almanac.

Eric: What were the major accomplishments of your life, and what methodologies and principals of science did you uphold?

Benjamin Banneker: My major accomplishments were probably when I carved an accurate clock out of wood and published several well known almanacs. My method was to observe and carefully record my observations.

Eric: What was the state of "the academy" of science and how did it impact your work?

Benjamin Banneker: Well there wasn't much of an academy of science in the Americas this time seein as most of the science went on in Great Britain. We didnt really develop an academy of science until we declared our Independace from them later on.

Eric: Did you have any limitations as a scientist or as a person?

Benjamin Banneker: Yes, as a colored person at the time I was often looked down upon and was thought of as an inferior to other white scientists. This often caused me not to be able to find a publisher for my almanacs or to not be allowed to do my research.

Eric: What were the philosophical or religious beliefs at the time you were a scientist?

Benjamin Banneker: At the time the Enlightenment was occuring which highlighted beliefs in logic and nature, and that with science man could discover anything they put their mind to.

Eric: How did your ideas fit in the the beliefs at the time?

Benjamin Banneker: My ideas fit well at the time because I myself agreed with the philosophy that one should use science and reason to solve problems instead of faith and religion.

Eric: What major political, economic, or cultural events where taking place when you were alive?

Benjamin Banneker: During my lifetime I experienced the revolutionary war when America first declared their Independance and fought Great Britain for their freedom.

Eric: How were gender and class roles defined at the time?

Benjamin Banneker: During my lifetime women were seen as people who took care of children and the home while the "more intelectual" male husband was off working and providing for the family. Money often determined class roles and often at times if a person had money that could gain a large influence over political issues.